Family Home Evening in Laie

We had a wonderful evening last night with three other families, the Rodrigues, the Bishops and the Ahkays. We all went up to Laie to the Polynesian Cultural Center by BYU Hawaii and went on their Christmas canoe ride. It was wonderful! The beginning of the ride was all about the birth of the Savior and then ended with some fun singing and dancing using cheerful Christmas songs. It was great. Landon was funny on the way home when he said, "That was really good. It didn't have too much Mormon stuff and too much fun stuff. It was just right!" Too much Mormon stuff????? Anyway, we all laughed and then talked about what being a Christian meant. It was so nice to go to something fun that was Christ centered during this time of year.

We stood in line for 2 hours. These guys tend to get punchy after 30 minutes together!! (Pete, Frank and Les)

The women of the bunch! Me, Grandma, Alison, Moana, and Beth!

Landon trying to climb palm trees while we waited and waited and waited in line.

"Are we there yet?" Grayson got a little tired waiting.

The boys. Grayson (what's with his smile?), Landon (doesn't know how to just BE in a picture, silly kid), Joshua and Daniel (Beth's kids). They had a blast together!

The teenagers. You may notice that they all have their cell phones out so they can talk to people that they aren't with. This new generation is a bit on the crazy side. They all had fun together. I love to see the youth stick together and love one another. (Hannah's back, Mitchell, Emma's cell phone, and Charne's side profile.)

Mitchell giving "'tude". Can't believe I posted this picture, but the ones following it convinced me!

Here's Pete (also our bishop) doing "A Mitchell". Scary!!

Moana trying to get that pucker thing going. I think she's getting it. Hands down the teenagers can do "the look".

We've finally made it to the front of the line and we were waiting to get on our canoe. Here's Charne, Hannah, Sydney (on lap), Fara, and Moana

Kids found some energy now that the ride was in just moments. Joshua, Grayson, Daniel and Raegan.

Here's the other half of our group. (the little boys and Raegan with Grandma being the other group). We almost took an entire canoe. There's fun in big numbers! (Is that Mitchell with his arm around Emma? That's right. He had just planted a big one on her cheek, yes, right in front of me (his mother!), Beth (Emma's mother!), and Pete (his bishop!). They are just good friends, but still!!)

Les sitting with Grandma.

Landon and me. He's such a good boy. He keeps measuring himself against me, hoping against hope that he's taller than me. I have a couple years on you yet!!

Alison and Landon. Landon has been working with Alison at her art studio twice a week and has loved it! These two are buddies.

Grandma and me. The two Marias. I have loved having her here this Christmas.

The boats ARRIVED!!

Getting ready to go. Doesn't Les look so enthused? We all had a great time (really) and felt the true meaning of Christmas.

Aloha 'Oe

One of the most beautiful and painful traditions of the Hawaiian people is to sing Aloha 'Oe to those that leave the island. It's now been my privilege to hear that sung to me twice and it didn't get easier the second time. After sacrament meeting, our family was invited to stand in front of the congregation and our ward sang this song to us. As the music began, my tears began to fall. It was hard to turn and face my sweet friends and listen to the song of farewell. It has been winter for the Calls. Since coming to Hawaii we have had many struggles and at times it has seemed bare of the blessings we sought. As I reflect on our 6 months of being here I feel my heart swell with gratitude for the beautiful experiences we've had and the relationships that have been strengthened and started. As I gazed at the faces of loved ones who have lightened my load, helped carry my burdens, worked with me in the church, and loved me for just being me, I felt honored to have been here. What a wonderful tradition this culture has to face the farewell of a loved one full on, feel the sadness of the departure and yet glory in the love and friendship shared. Thank you, thank you.

Some of my favorite memories I'll take with me are:

Going to The Three Phantom's concert. My whole body hummed with pure joy as I listened to the music from that night. That's a must see concert for any of you that love the fine arts!

Walking the botanical gardens with Grandma. She sees such wonder in God's creation and it's a joy to experience that with her.

Going to the Liae Temple on a regular basis. This temple will have a significant place in both Les' heart and my own. We have gone there so many times to plead with our Father in Heaven in behalf of our family and for those we love. Much love was felt there and my testimony was strengthened. How grateful I am for that piece of heaven here on earth.

Homeschooling the boys. I have truly enjoyed having my boys at home with me. I never thought I could be the type of person to enjoy homeschooling. I didn't think I'd have the patience or the discipline, but we have done great! I love these two boys with all that I am and feel it a deep privilege to be their mother.

Thanksgiving with our friends. Having my home filled to the brim with my friends was a definite highlight for me. We had so much delicious food and the relaxed atmosphere of enjoying each other's company was wonderful.

Look at all that food!!!


Moana and Frank Akhay's family. We love them!!

Moana's parents, Frank and Les talking story.

Teenagers loading up! There was plenty and then some!! Matt, Mitchell, Emma, Hannah and me (making sure everyone got fed).

Seeing the ballet Giselle with Alison for my birthday. I love the fine arts. I have learned that this is an important way for me to feel rejuvenated and happy. This was a beautiful story and I loved it!

Grayson's baptism. What a special day that was! How touched our whole family was by the outpouring of support from our friends that showed up. Grayson felt 10 feet tall that day and just glowed. I'm so proud of him and the choices he makes. My little Nephi.

Taking pictures at the break of dawn. Alison talked me into getting up really early and we drove down past Honolulu and took pictures of the sun emerging from behind a light house. It was a cloudy morning so it wasn't as spectacular as it could have been, but the metaphor for me was huge. There on the edge of the craggy cliff was a lone beacon of light, a safety for those sailing the troubled waters. And then, the light began to seep through the clouds and the colors were swirls of pinks, oranges, and reds. That was the look of hope for me. I had kept my eye on my beacon of safety, my Savior, through this tough passage of time for us. And there, in the sky was the promise of hope. Light pierced through the clouds and there was beauty and reward for my obedience and patience.

Making bread with the primary kids. I love primary. I really do. I have loved being the primary president and just loving these kids. I had a great time teaching them about different parables from the Savior's life and one of those was feeding the 5000. We had them make fish bread (shaped their bread dough into a fish). I had children asking me weeks and weeks after if they could come make bread with me again. So simple, but I loved that experience.

Planting my lemon tree. After my grandfather Meyers passed away this summer, I planted a Meyers lemon tree in my front yard in memory of him. His passing was so painful. I admire him so much and felt so close to my mother when I was around him. He was a significant male role model for me and I always felt safe when I was with him. He was grounded and strong and how I loved being his grand daughter. With reverence I planted that tree and it is baring so many lemons.

Watching my boys at the beach. I love to see their excitement and unadulterated joy at just being in the water. They are infectious! Mitchell, Landon and Grayson have each become fishes of the sea and I know they will miss that part of Hawaii.

Mitchell having fun.

Landon coming in from the sea.

Grayson trying to get his snorkel fixed.

Spending time with my dear friend Moana. My heart aches thinking of not seeing her for a long time. She has been an angel of mercy for me. You don't see Moana not smiling very often and her laugh spreads from person to person. She and her husband Frank are absolutely the best of Hawaii and we consider them family.

There's that winning smile. Gets you every time.

Decorating the tree at the Temple Visitor's Center. What an incredible expereince. I don't think I would have had a chance to do that anywhere else.

The Christmas concert we went to not long ago. That was the perfect culmination of our experience here in Hawaii. It had all the beauty of Hawaii and it's people.

Grandma here for Christmas. We have had a joyous Christmas with Grandma. I'm so grateful to her for coming and bringing Christmas with her, as she told me. It's lonely for her without Grandpa and she has had fun with the children and the business of family. We've had fun baking, and walking, visiting, laughing, crying, watching our old movies and sharing our hearts. I know my mother is so grateful for her mother and the love she expresses to our family. I feel her so close this Christmas season and am so grateful for the love of the Savior that brought Him here on earth to atone for our sins, give us hope, show us the way to really love, and make it possible to be with our families forever.

I am blessed. I'm blessed by the people in my life. My husband. How I dearly love him. My children. A mother couldn't ask for better sons. My family. How fortunate I am to be a part of you. My friends. You carry my heart.

To my dear friends here, Aloha 'oe, until we meet again. I love you.

Busy

Seems like this time of year is always so busy. We cram everything we can into the first two weeks of December so we can feel relaxed at Christmas. Just this past week I did a Teacher Appreciation and Training Dinner for my primary teachers. (I will be posting the delicious pork recipe later!! To DIE FOR) Last night we set up decorations for the ward Christmas dinner and tonight we will be AT the ward party. We have made the "famous" Christmas Candy Cookies that started with my great-grandmother. It's not Christmas without them. It's been so fun to be with Grandma Meyers. We've had a great time watching old movies together. The other night we all stayed up late and watched "What's Up Doc" with Barbara Streisand and Ryan O'Neil. That is such a funny movie. Watch it if you haven't seen it before!!

The boys have enjoyed taking walks with Grandma and helping me gut through the little bit of stuff that we have. They are great helpers!! Mitchell went on his FIRST date!! I barely survived!! He went with a group from his swim team (breathe, Rachel) to the Winter Formal. All the kids pitched in a little money for a limo ride since the dance was in downtown Honolulu at the Dole Ballroom. Les dropped him off and told me Mitchell was nervous to get out of the car. He'd never been to a dance like this or, of course, on a date. The day earlier, Grandma decided to teach him how to slow dance. That was adorable. I wish I had gotten pictures of it!! He ended up having a great time and I made it through too.

Getting ready to move with Christmas right around the corner is difficult but we are still really enjoying the opportunities of the season. Here's some great recipes you might enjoy.

I love this recipe for fudge. It's easy and so delicious.




GERMAN CHOCOLATE FUDGE(No fail recipe!!)

2 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips
12 squares German sweet chocolate (1-oz each square)
1 7 oz. jar marshmallow creme
4 1/2 c. white sugar
2 T. butter
1 can (12 fl. oz) evaporated milk
1/8 tsp. salt2 c. chopped pecans (optional)

Combine chocolate chips, German chocolate and marshmallow creme in large bowl. Combine sugar, butter, evaporated milk and salt in heavy skillet. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Cook 6 minutes, stirring constantly. Pour hot syrup over chocolate mixture. Stir with wooden spoon until smooth. Stir in pecans. Spread into buttered 10x15" pan. Let stand until firm, cut into squares. 80 servings

Note: Kids I taught cooking class to made this. If they can do it, so can you!! Easiest fudge recipe I've tried and so good.

Here's the simple recipe for the Kalua Pig





1 pork butt (or shoulder)
about a soup spoon full of Hawaiian sea salt (to rub on the pork)
1 small bottle liquid smoke Hickory flavor (Wright brand)
using smoke bottle, fill up 1/2 to 3/4 full of water, enough to cover the bottom of the pan
Directions:
Pierce pork with knife.
Rub salt over pork.
Put pork in a roasting pan cover tightly with foil and then cover with lid.
Bake at 350 degrees for 1st hour.
Lower oven temp to 250 -200 for 7-8 hours
Shred in pan and mix in juices.

*If in a hurry you can check pig after 3 hours and shred, cook total of 5-6 hours, turning temp up to 350 for last hour.

*Can also use crock pot. Just cook for 16-20 minutes on low, turning once during cook time.


The books for today are chapter books you can read together as a family:

Edward Eager's book, Half Magic, is a story about four children who find a magic coin that grants HALF of each wish. So to get what you want, you have to wish for twice as much. It was a fun read and the kids laughed all the way through it. It was hard to stop each night. There are more books to the series: The Time Garden and Magic by the Lake. Great author!!

"The Great Brain" by John D. Fitzgerald is another favorite read. The story is about Tom, AKA the Great Brain, and his little brother John. But trouble and adventure are always close by when Tom comes up with another money making plan! Enjoy the adventures of The Great Brain, in which he'll convince the whole town that there is a prehistoric monster living in a cave, solve a ghost town mystery, and even help the toughest britches-wearing girl in town wear a dress! I remember my brothers reading these. Very creative characters and a lot of laughs! Also a series with the other titles being:

More Adventures of the Great Brain, Me and My Little Brain, The Great Brain at the Academy, The Great Brain Reforms, The Return of the Great Brain, The Great Brain Does It Again, The Great Brain is Back.

Happy reading!!

Christmas in Hawaii

Here in Hawaii we don't have the magical snow, the cold that makes you want to bundle up or sit by a roaring fire and sip away at a mug of hot chocolate or cider. However, the Christmas spirit is well and good!! Usually, I love going to see the Nutcracker Ballet. It's just a tradition and I was sad that this year I wasn't going to be able to go. However, I ended up with the perfect way to hail in the season, better than the Nutcracker for me this year! Last Saturday, we went to a phenomenal Christmas concert with some of our dearest friends. Pete and Alison, Moana and Frank, and Cookie and Manu. The concert was breathtaking. It was "A Cazimero Christmas starring the Brothers Cazimero". Two Hawaiian brothers who played the steel guitar, the bass, and piano. They just switched around on the instruments. The theme of the concert was The Sounds of Christmas and they sang and played beautifully the different songs of Christmas with a Hawaiian flare. I absolutely loved their rendition of "Silent Night". The set was glowing with lights and was so festive and beautiful. They were also joined by the Ladies of the Royal Dance Company, a big group of men dancers, an up and coming male singer who is absolutely talented and has such a rich voice, and the reigning Miss and Mr. Keiki (child) Hula for 2008. So we had singing, laughter, dance and MAGIC! Watching the hula, is watching a language. It's breathe taking. As I was sitting there watching the show, I reflected on my experiences of Hawaii, from 9 years ago to present. I have been touched deeply by the beauty of the Hawaiian culture. The women are so feminine, in the grace with which they move and the beauty of their dance. The men are so masculine and yet graceful in dance and some of the most moving and haunting music I've ever heard has come out of the voice of a Hawaiian man. I love that their culture is so child oriented. Everyone takes care of the keiki's! As I looked down the row of friends my heart clenched with sadness and sorrow that this time together was drawing to a close. It also rang out with gratitude. I love these dear friends. They are "picked family" for me. I can't imagine a better way to spend THIS Christmas, than with them.

This is the outside of the GORGEOUS Hawaii Theatre.

Here's the group at Zippy's where we went after the show

Les, Frank, Manu and Pete

Alison, Cookie, Moana, Rachel

My pick for a book today is a very special one for me. It's one I think I've read every Christmas since Mitchell was born. I cry every time. It's called "The Selfish Giant" by Oscar Wilde. Maybe many of you have heard of it or read it, but it's a lovely story to share with your children, at any age. It's a story about a selfish giant who has a beautiful garden but doesn't want any of the children to play in it. Winter stays in this garden. I'll leave the rest for you to find out. It's beautiful.

And those of you with girls or who teach girls, my other pick is entitled "Daughter of a King" by Rachel Ann Nunes and David Lindsley. It's a wonderful story of a girl finding out who she really is and her journey through life to get back to her father, the King. Very special book, especially in these days where so many influences are trying to guide our children to find happiness with "earthly things" and to forget who they really are, children of God.

It's Official-We're Moving

That's right. We are moving from Hawaii and going to West Virginia to join the majority of the Mitchell clan. My dad must have some super powers that he uses to control our minds and make us come together as a family. Watch out Grant and Bryan!! Just kidding. No, we just can't survive here in Hawaii any longer and my dad has been kind enough to offer us jobs to help us get back on our feet. Les is still going to run RSVP from there since the time zone difference is so accommodating. We fly out on the 27th of this month. We're excited to be near family and the boys are so excited to see Ron and Audra's dog!! Grayson is excited to see snow. He thinks somehow snow appears on Christmas. I had to let him down easy that here in Hawaii it just doesn't make it!!

Grandma Meyers is joining us for Christmas this year. My cousin Bryce is graduating from BYU Hawaii today and so Paul, Kim and Grandma came up for that. Kim and Grandma took me shopping for Christmas so the boys could enjoy a tree, stockings and a couple gifts. I'm so grateful for all of our family. We really couldn't have made it without you. I get overwhelmed right now with gratefulness and humbleness. It will be fun to have Grandma here. We love watching old movies together, cooking in the kitchen and just being together.

Well, I'll throw in a couple more book recommendations. Glad you liked "Wodney Wat" Jaime!! We love it. Great Christmas gift!!

The first book today is "Sleeping Beauty" illustrated by my favorite illustrator, K. Y. Craft. Her pictures are amazing!! Just about any book she illustrates I love.
She has several fairy tale books out there. Great ones for gifts or for collecting.

The second book is "The Fantastic Drawings of Danielle" by Barbara McClintock. Fabulous illustrations and charming story. This little girl and her photographer father live in Paris. The father gets sick and Danielle uses her special talent of drawing fantastic pictures to help out. My boys even enjoyed this story and the illustrations were so fun and imaginative.

Again, let me know if you like these books, if you're interested in more, etc.

Favorite Children's Books

I've decided to indulge myself with sharing one of my favorite things--books, more specifically, children's books. I love to read them out loud to my children, see them enjoy a tasty morsel of a tale themselves or, yes, I read them to myself. I love books that are beautifully illustrated. That's half the story! I love books that tell meaningful stories, I love books that make me laugh, and I love stories that make me feel good. I will try to share with you a few books a day. I don't want to overwhelm you! Please let me know if you have read them, if you like them, if you decide to get them at the library and then what you thought. If you have some favorites you'd like to pass on, let me know and we'll put them on here.

The first is one we read a few months ago. Grayson and I were tucked into the couch ever so comfortably and began reading this book we had picked at the library. Now, when you read this book, you need to have a silly voice with it to get the full effect. We barely made it through the book we were laughing so hard. We were wiping tears from our eyes. We had to read it to Landon, then Les and yes, even Mitchelll (thank you Mitchell for putting up with us. I know you really liked it too!!) This book is titled"Hooway for Wodney Wat" by Helen Lester. It has a great message, totally hits the funny bone and is perfectly illustrated for the feel of the story.

The second book is one I loved as a child. I mean, I really loved this book. I haven't shared it with my boys since it's VERY girl oriented, but maybe one of you can enjoy it. It's entitled

"The Best-Loved Doll" by Rebecca Caudill

It is 30 pages and tells the tender story of a girl named Betsy and her decision to bring her Best-Loved doll to a party. It is a doll that has seen better days. She had many other choices, but she followed her heart. Moral: True beauty is on the inside.

These are books for the younger kids of different ages. Ones you can keep reading and reading. I'll put some in for the older ones (pre-teen and up) as well as the month goes by. Enjoy until next time!! (Let me know if you like them!)

(Those of you who have had a hard time posting comments, try again. I changed some settings. I'm still trying to learn "blogging")

Primary Activity

If you would give a gift to Jesus--

Give it to the poor of earth;

If you would serve His love and missions--

Serve by deeds of Christian worth;

If you would give Him gifts of comfort--

Comfort others, with His Grace;

If you would dry His tears of sorrow--

Dry them on another's face.

Every act of love and kindness

You bestow on one, in need,

Is a precious gift to Jesus

And a service, in His creed.

Give of heart and hand and spirit

Every gift you can afford

For--in giving unto others--

You are giving to the Lord

by Michael Dubina

This Primary Activity we decided to focus on the inactive in our primary. We had the children make these reindeer puppets and decorate some sugar cookies and deliver them to the children in their class that don't come. We ended up with 19 families. The children loved making the puppets and we saw many different species of reindeer!! The cookies were colorful and hopefully edible! The best part was how happy they felt going and giving something to the other children and inviting them to come to primary. We talked about how these are the sheep that Jesus has asked us to go gather. Last month the theme in primary was about how Christ loves everyone. This was a great way the kids could put into action the things we were teaching them. Thank you Alison for all your help getting these reindeer ready!! I had fun on the power tools again!!

Here's another Elf Yourself from our family. Alison sent it to me and it has Les, Mitchell and Pete (Alison's husband and Les' best friend). You'll die laughing at Mitchell's face. I love this sight!!

http://elfyourself.jibjab.com/view/RMLUTqzQ7XV1N7le9Lsy