Highlights from Jan-June 2014

I cannot believe how fast 2014 is going! It is now October and I have not written since February! ha Well better late than never right so here it goes fam bam and friends!

January 

Let the training begin!

Randy officially began the fire academy on the 13th of this month! They had an orientation for the recruits and their family members and discussed how us as family members would need to learn to be more independent because our loved ones would be extremely busy over the next 7 months. 

I was a little nervous for this big new change in our lives but SO grateful for Randy and I to be given this opportunity. The Honolulu Fire Department only took 24 recruits this round (2 of them women--yay for girl power!) when approximately three to five thousand began with taking the written test. Randy and I basically felt like we won the lottery! 

The academy is Monday through Friday in town at the training station off of Valkenburgh. They work from 7:30 to 4:30pm and the training and structure are VERY strict (paramilitary). I am grateful though because Randy gets paid through out class and received insurance.

Visiting the Bishoff Clan

For my Christmas present Randy bought me a plan ticket to visit my family at the end of this month! I missed home and LOVED seeing my family. We had a good time together from walking/running Radio Hill to talking non stop in the kitchen. My mom and sister Jennifer even made me a special vegan pie to celebrate my visit! The women in my family made face masks together and when my dad came home from work he looked at us like we were crazy. We also made some serious granola together and I made my family Buddha bowls for the first time. One day, we all went and played tennis at the high school and my parents slaughtered Jen, Brent, and I. 

I wanted Randy to come with me to California but with his insanely strict training schedule that was not a possibility. At one point I also got randomly sick and threw up 5 times but recovered by the next day--maybe food poisoning? My favorite part was talking in the kitchen and making food together---in my home that is definitely the gathering place and we all (especially the women in my fam) have been blessed with the gift of gab (as my Nana June would call it)----we can just talk for hours no big deal! It felt so good to be around my family but I did really begin to miss Randy (this my first time really away from him since we had been married). 

At the top of Radio Hill

Looking like hot messes ;)

I love this little sista blista of mine

Taking one of our many walks together

More Radio Hill

Random Pic:Jan 22nd HUGE HUGE waves at Waimea 

February

Academy Update

This month was extremely hard for Randy with driver's training. He would come home exhausted and stressed, This academy consumed his whole life and they were constantly being given tests to study and pass (they were warned about this during their orientation). At one point Randy mentioned to me that he felt this was harder than college! We said a lot of prayers during this time and I can honestly say they were answered over and over again though his rigorous training and tests.

During this time I didn't get to see Randy as much. In fact, our sweet neighbors took me under their wing and made sure I was not alone at home all the time. If there ever were nights Randy was gone they would invite me to come and watch the Olympics with them and drink ginger tea. I am so grateful for how considerate they are of me. Plus Chris and Jill are very animated and passionate people so watching the Olympics with them was pretty entertaining! 

Horse Visit and the Lion King

Okay I LOVE my job---it is pretty unique to say the least. This past month we had a pony and horse visit the hospital and the residents loved it! They all got the opportunity to pet, brush, and feed them carrots. We even brought the pony up the elevator and into our dayroom INSIDE the hospital (don't worry I got all the paperwork done to make it legit). For work we also took the residents to Lion King!! This was a big deal and required so much planning but was extremely worth it. My assistant and I took a group of 5 residents and they had an amazing time. Plus I also got to see the show with them and my work paid for it! Talk about some good perks right?! 

Meet Moxie the pony :)

Valentines Day

This marked the two year anniversary from when Randy and I got engaged! I cannot believe it has already been two years since then. This valentines day was pretty chill. With Randy having next to no life because of his training I decided to keep things simple. When he came home exhausted from work I made him some of his favorites---healthy sushi (I am loved Nori rolls) and some fudgy black bean brownies by Dr. Fuhrman. I also cut out a few paper hearts and stuck them around the table. He was so grateful---tired but very grateful.

The Sunset Branch has arrived!

Ok so we have been with the Kahuku 1st ward since we moved to Hawaii and we LOVED it!  This month they announced we would be dividing the Kahuku 1st ward and setting up a Sunset Branch (the ward was getting too big). Since we live in Sunset we are now apart of the branch and we are small in number. I just got called to work with the young women as the first counselor (ages 12-17) and feel excited and nervous. Randy got called to be the executive secretary. We are going to miss our Sunday school class in the Kahuku 1st ward but are excited for the opportunity and experience to be part of a branch and do our part to help. God is so good :)

***Mormon Lingo: A ward is just a congregation that is a bigger group than a branch  of people who meet for church/worship. You go to the ward or branch the you geographically fall into.

Our Young Women's Group

March

Girls just wanna have FUN!

Okay this was AMAZING! A bunch of my Fitclub girlfriends (about 20 of us) and I went on a two  day retreat in Kaneohe. We stayed in this beautiful house overlooking Kaneohe Bay (Elika hooked us up) and everyone pitched in with the activities. The first night I taught a "cooking class" and made Thai Veggie Curry and Fudgy Black Bean Brownies. I talked about striving to be a nutritarian and Dr. Fuhrman's book, Eat to Live which has changed my life! One of my friends asked me afterwards if I would be interested in cooking for her family. This blew me away but really increased my confidence in my healthy cooking. Some of my other friends cooked amazingly healthy and delicious dishes as well for the retreat. We also had a friend teach an essential oils class, someone did yoga, goal setting, and meal plans. Seriously, this was such a cool experience for me to be around like minded women striving for many of the same goals I am. 

We also had a blast being girly. Some were running around with face masks on while others were getting their hair cut by our friend Kalee who is a hairstylist. I went out of the limb and had a piece of my hair dyed blue (I know--I'm such a wild woman). I felt like a mermaid. We also made sure to relax and chit chat by the pool and hot tub and drink our greens smoothies. At the end, a few of us hiked to the pillboxes and then went to the beach. Our friend, Tiffany Garfield was the master mind behind this whole thing and I am so stoked that I had the opportunity to be a part of this with these amazing and talented women. Love you guys!  

The retreat in a nutshell

I don't know why I put my foot up but it seemed appropriate at the time!

Thanks to Bree for our Yoga class!

Hiking the Lanikai Pillboxes

Some of the amazing women

Thai Veggie Curry---SOOOO delicious!

Randy's Birthday

Randy had his birthday on the 22nd of this month! We celebrated together by going to Waimea Bay and boogie/body boarding. Then we had a BBQ with Chris and Jill and they made their amazing Grommet burgers and I brought a salad (go figure). I also made Randy's favorite---chocolate raspberry torte cake (the Boles introduced us to this cake back in Utah and were nice enough to give us the recipe). For his gift I got him brand new scriptures since his last pair died. Chris and Jill were so sweet and gave him a poster with all the different surf breaks on Oahu. Randy is kind of crazy though...he insisted on mowing the yard for Chris and Jill on his birthday! Who does that?! 

Randy had a lot of candles on that cake---it was almost blinding ;) 

Randy boogie boarding

Woman with Wall of Water at Waimea (say that 5xs fast)

Elise's Birthday
My sweet young sister had her birthday on the 10th. She is currently in Cordoba, Argentina serving a mission for the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (the Mormons) and will be coming home this September! I sent her a little email birthday card and realized how much I missed her. She will have served for 18 months before she comes home and I just wanted to say how proud I am of her for making this sacrifice to serve God. She writes our family and friends weekly emails and I love reading her stories and hearing how her testimony of Jesus Christ is continuing to grow. Love this woman and miss my sista blista :)

April

Landon's Birthday
One of my baby bro's turned 18 (woah)! He is going to be graduating high school in a few months and then working on paperwork for his mission! My siblings are getting older and sometimes it feels like it is happening WAY too fast! Landon is becoming a good man and a hard worker. He is a handy man and can fix cars!! This is weird for me to think about---I just remember him playing with legos and blocks! He is even taller than me now which is still hard to believe. I love you lots Landon :)

VEGAS BABY
My work sent me to Vegas for a 2 day Studer Group Conference. My family decided to come stay with me in my hotel and make a party of it! The conference was great and helped me understand so much more about hospital leadership but I am not gonna lie I was little more stoked to see my family. We stayed at the Paris hotel and after my conference ended my family and I made some good memories.

We went and watch the O show and ate at some good places---the Bacchanal buffet is quite amazing---expensive but they pretty much have any type of cuisine you would ever want to try! This is pretty bad but I went once with my coworkers and again the very next day with my family because they wanted to try it out. Needless to say it was a fun experience but I don't plan on eating at a buffet for quite some time. When I got home I was grateful to get back to my routine of simple food and water.

The O show was pretty good though. I was impressed by what these people could physically do but it was a little on the weird side for me. My family enjoyed it though. After the conference and spending some time in Vegas we drove back to Blythe together and enjoyed one another's company briefly. I has to head back to work pretty soon so I flew out of Phoenix back to Oahu. Randy was not able to come because of training---he has been working his butt off!

Day 1 at Bacchalan

Day 2

My Bridge :)

Loving the blue steel look Dad!

The O Show

This was hilarious---mom slapping Jen's hand for pinching this guy's booty!

Caesar's Palace

The Paris Hotel

Work Party "Lets Get Wild" 

I have to say I work at a pretty cool hospital. The people at Kahuku Medical Center are amazing. I really appreciate my job and the people I get to work with. They are a pretty fun bunch to top it off too! We had our annual work party at the PCC and had good food and live music. Randy was able to come with me since it was in the evening! I even got my groove on and danced with some of my working ladies!

Love this guy!

The ladies getting jiggy with it! Oh and Al doing the sprinkler.

May

Surfing
I have had a love hate relationship with surfing since I got to Hawaii but I finally have gotten over the hate aspect of it! I Decided to try and go surfing a lot more this past month to improve my skills and get over my fears. I am definitely a beginner but I am getting better---finally!! I used to be so scared of surfing on even small waves but that is changing! I still surf the baby waves but I am no longer scared of them so this is big progress for me. Randy is still rocking it like always but with the summer months the surf gets smaller and easier for me :)

Slowly but surely getting better

Randy makes it look so easy!

Academy Update
Randy has not missed a single day of class (you basically can't). He puts in pretty long days of training and comes home very tired. He comes home to only eat and study some more before the next day of class. He has been sick a few times which is usually quite rare for him. A lack of sleep and stress are hard on people. I try to do small things to make his days easier but seriously I am pretty excited for this training to be over and done with.

June

Girl's Camp at Koaloa Beach Park
From June 3-6th we had girls camp and it was so much fun, a ton of work, but worth it. The girls got to go on different hikes, camp certification, crafts, read scriptures, go paddling in outrigger canoes, and most importantly draw closer to their Savior. I turned 26 on the 6th and the girls made me a "cake" out of Oreos  and had me blow out a candle. I loved this simple gesture of thoughtfulness from the leaders and  girls. I really have been blessed with so much from my Heavenly Father.

Effie and I with the girls on their hike

Crazy Fast Wedding Trip
As soon as girl's camp ended I cleaned up and drove into town to pick up Randy from work. We had a birthday dinner together at California Pizza Kitchen---the grilled veggie salad is to die for---seriously this is all I get when I go there and NEVER regret it! Anyway, we had to do a quick dinner and then pick up his sister Wendy and drop them off at the airport for Davey and Tiffany's wedding in Utah. I decided to stay back because of the expense of plane tickets and having to return to work on Saturday but I really wanted Randy to go. This was a crazy trip because they left Friday after work and got back Sunday evening so he could be back in time for training Monday morning.

Family is a big deal though and I know we are so glad he went despite how quick the trip was. At the wedding Randy and ALL his siblings were there together---this had not happened in years! Randy said the wedding was beautiful and was excited he was able to see his brothers he had not seen in a long time.

Finishing our first year in Hawaii (Sept-Dec '13)

It is about the that time again where I write some of the things that have been going on in the past few months. It definitely has been a busy time for Randy and I but SO good! This is a long post---just warning ya!

September

HFD Update

This was a big deal month. On the thirteenth Randy interviewed with the Honolulu Fire Dept. (this is basically the final "test"). He came out of the interview feeling pretty good. Randy said right when he went in to be interviewed the panel of guys (there were 3) started off by saying how impressive his resume was with all of his prior experience as a firefighter. Randy said after that he felt pretty at ease as they asked him questions for about thirty minutes.

Fireworks
That same night, we celebrated Randy's successful interview by going to Waikiki with our good friends Chris and Jill. We had a blast! This was my first time being there at night. I don't love cities and big crowds of people but this seemed so different! Everyone was relaxed and having a good time. It was nice to walk around experiencing this unique place with Randy.

We first watched a firework show over the water. It seriously felt magical. Then we walked on the beach passing the back sides of the hotels (where their pools were). From one hotel to the next we could see people having a good time listening to live Hawaiian music.  I felt like I was in a dream with everything that was going on all around me. In that moment I just remember feeling so grateful for my life---especially for Randy. At the end of the night we got a picture with the Duke!

Saunders Fam Visit
Randy's brother Jef and his wife and kids came to visit for a few days before they flew out to Kauai. We had so much fun with them. In one day we went to three beaches. We started with Waimea Valley where the kids jumped off the rocks, then went to Shark's Cove and went snorkeling. We finished at Castles where Randy spent time teaching our nieces and nephews how to surf. We also took them to one of my favorite places to eat---Kahuku Farms Cafe.

Annie learning how to surf with Uncle Randy.

Hanging with Nadia and Holden
We also babysat our other niece and nephew, Holden and Nadia. We walked to Backyards (the beach closest to us) and they played on a boat right on the sand. When we walked home, I made them peanut butter banana smoothies (Holden likes to call them milkshakes).   

Holden having a "milkshake"

Accepted!
At the end of the month (9/29) we got a very important email from the Honolulu Fire  Dept. Randy got accepted into the academy!! He now has to go through all the paper work, physical exam, background check, etc. Randy sent me the email while I was at work and I was SO happy when I saw it in writing!

October

Randy surfing at Turtle Bay

General Conference

This was another big deal month! First was general conference on the 5th and 6th. There were so many inspirational talks given. I LOVED the talk by Elder Holland called Like a Broken Vessel. We went up to Mililani and watched it with my sister-in-law Wendy and her family.

Birthing Class
During this month Randy and I began attending a birthing class at the hospital where I work. Don't worry everyone I am not pregnant...yet. The birthing instructor noticed I kept asking her questions when she would come for the class and said I should attend the next session. I told her that might be weird because I am not even pregnant. She went on to convince me that it was actually better to come before I got pregnant....so we did! I was the only one that wasn't prego, but I didn't mind at all. In fact, the class helped put my mind at ease about the birthing process. Anyways, preparation precedes power right? Also there is the scripture that talks about if you are prepared you shall not fear. And I am all for that!

The hospital
Work has been going really well for me. This month the Kahuku High School cheerleaders came to visit the residents, decorate sugar cookies, do crafts, and sing. When they went around singing to the various residents and patients they began bringing people to tears. It was such a good experience and days like these help me stay energized.

The Olomana Three Peaks Trail
Randy, Cyd and I decided to be adventurous and went on a gnarly hike. Complete with fraying ropes you need to climb down the peaks and sheer drops on both sides as you hike. It also rained on us at the beginning and this guy told us to turn around. We met this cool couple who attend UH and are from Denmark. We had some cool discussions and by the end I wanted to call them my sweet danishes (the first nickname the American girl thinks to give them has to do with baked goods). Don't worry---I refrained and stuck with their names! I just LOVE nicknames---I think they make me feel closer to people. Anyway, we completed the whole hike and it was absolutely stunning!

Our ONE year anniversary <3
On the 27th Randy and I celebrated our one year anniversary of being married in the Newport Beach temple! Our neighbors Chris and Jill went on a catamaran ride with us and it was breath taking! I loved seeing the island from such a different view. For Randy's little gift I made him scones and honey butter and he made me a video recapping our wedding, reception, and memories we had made together. The next day we also had a bonfire on a beach by ourselves. We roasted smores and enjoyed a romantic evening together talking about how far we had come as a couple and looking at the stars.

I am incredibly blessed for the man Randy is. He treats me SO well! I am grateful for his goodness and for how hard he works. He is my soulmate (because I chose him and he chose me).

Halloween
I went to work and dressed up as a witch. Preschool kiddies came to the hospital to trick or treat with our residents and the kids even sang them a few songs. All of our female residents dressed up like witches and the guys were wizards! When Randy and I got home we had Cydonia over and hung out with Chris and Jill in front of the house passing out/eating candy and chili Jill had made for us.

Our Halloween "decorations"

November

ONE whole year in Hawaii!
We hit the one year mark for living in Hawaii! Last year, right after our honeymoon, we flew from Phoenix to Oahu with 1 suitcase and 1 backpack each with the hopes of starting a little life for ourselves out here and a year later we are still making it! So much has happened in just one short year. I know I keep saying this all the time but I just need to give credit where credit is due. The only reason things have worked out for us here in Hawaii is because of our Heavenly Father. I know this with COMPLETE certainty! There were no such things as lucky breaks or moments of coincidence...it all came from God and through putting Him first and trusting in Him. I just want to vocalize that.

Friends from Laguna Hills visit
On the eleventh many couples Randy knew while growing up in Laguna Hills vacationed down in Waialua and we were able to visit with them. I loved hearing all of the stories about Randy as a young boy and all the crazy things he used to do with his friends and brothers.

Thanksgiving
Randy and I started the day off by running in the turkey trot with my fitclub buddies. Afterwards, I "worked" at the hospital for a few hours. The residents and I made pumpkin crunch together and we all LOVED it! Afterwards Randy and I drove to Mililani and Wendy was nice enough to let me try and make a nutritarian Thanksgiving meal. We both decided we wanted to try something different this season when it came to the food. I could be a little biased but I loved the food!! Seriously! I actually felt better after eating the meal (no regrets or post-Thanksgiving sickness/comas here) AND it was delicious (just not the gravy--I put too much seasoning in). All my recipes came from Dr. Fuhrman. I made non-meat loaf, sweet potatoes with apples and walnuts, mashed red potatoes, gravy, and pumpkin pie with almond crust. Wendy made a few items as well and we all enjoyed a big feast together :)

Tastes better than it looks---promise!

The "whip cream" is made from macadamia nuts

My first time SUP'ing!
One morning Cyd and I decided to go stand up paddleboarding (SUP) in Haleiwa. Heidi was nice enough to let me use one of her boards and Cyd had her own. Although I have lived here a whole year this was my first time and I was surprisingly a little nervous! Once I got on the board I felt fine. It was so fun---for some reason I felt like I was in a dream as we paddled down past the Haleiwa bridge. Is this really my life?! After SUP'ing I had another first with Cyd---going to the Beet Box Cafe and my smoothie (the Lasse) was AMAZING! Can you tell I like food?? Sorry I talk so much about it at times I can't help it---I love me some good food/drinks!

December

Eric and Alison Affeltranger

 Saying Goodbye to Friends and Pipemasters

Our dear friends, Alison and Eric are leaving Hawaii and going back to Utah this month. They were some of our first friends here in Hawaii and we had many adventures with them through the year. We stopped by T-Bay to say bye and they will be missed! Randy and Chris also woke up super early the morning of Pipemasters this month and got epic seats and watched history be made with the Lees.

Christmastime
This month Randy and I went to look at all the Christmas lights in town with Chris and Jill and it was beautiful. We also got some yummy malasadas while we walked around. On Christmas day I worked briefly with my residents at the hospital. We had a tasty treat and played some Bingo together. A few days earlier, we had a big party for all the patients/residents at the hospital and each person had a secret santa. One of our staff was Santa and many people volunteered to perform for the party (Bobby Benson youth, Uncle Benny sang for us, and many more) and I made sure to get a variety of Ted's Bakery pies and cakes. I think the carrot cake is my new favorite.

On Christmas day when I got home from work Randy had this HUGE box wrapped up for me!! I had no idea what it was and kept trying to guess. He finally said I just needed to open it. It was one box after another getting smaller and smaller till it was as thin as paper! As I opened it a card was inside he made that explained I would be going home soon to California to see my family!! I was so stoked. Guess what I got Randy---some dark chocolate covered fruits! I can easily say I have been outdone this year.

Our Charlie Brown Tree 

Randy is an amazing person. He seems to hardly desire any material possessions (maybe besides a stand up paddle board and a few other small items). When I ask him what he wants for holidays/birthdays he usually says nothing, or mentions things that are very practical like socks or things that are free like a homemade card from me. I feel like he spoils me while he gets very simple gifts. He reminds me of my dad in that way. The only thing anyone in my family can ever think to get my dad for the holidays are chocolate covered cherries.

On Christmas day we also spent time with Wendy and her family at the McMillans eating dang good Hawaiian food and playing with the kids.

Babysitting and breaking arms
At the end of the month Randy and I had the unique opportunity to babysit the 4 Spiegler boys (the oldest is 8). Their parents needed to leave town quickly for a funeral. We babysat them for about 5 days and it was definitely an eye opening experience for someone who does not have a single kid. These boys are tough as nails! They love wrestling, going to the park, playing with their cool toys, and going to the beach. Randy was seriously a pro and had them under control with little help from me. The baby would wake up in the middle of the night and Randy would be up right away trying to help him go back to sleep while I snoozed away. I guess to be fair I was working and Randy was on Christmas break but I knew right then and there he would make an amazing dad! These boys loved playing jailer with us and hide and seek in their house. Although we did a decent job with these kids we were not perfect. While at the Sunset Beach park, the oldest boy broke his arm by jumping off the play equipment. Did this boy cry or scream when it happened? No! He just told Randy, "I think my arm is broken." That was it. He was in a lot of pain, but I remember when I was in high school and fractured my arm and I cried hysterically. This kid was 8! Anyway, maybe I am making too big a deal out of this but I was VERY impressed! I was also impressed with my love who made a legit splint for this kid's arm out of cardboard. Lets just say the more life Randy and I experience together the more confident I feel about conquering the world with him (Pinky and the Brain status).