JUNE 2015 UPDATES

"My father gave me the greatest gift anyone could give another person: He believed in me."

-Jim Valvano 

Father's Day
I truly am grateful for my father. He sincerely believes in me. I can vividly remember him helping me not quit the basketball team when I was in middle school. Some of the girls were not kind to me and I can remember coming to my dad in tears telling him I wanted to quit. How easy would it have been for him to say, "Alright Brooklyn, no problem. One less thing I have to worry about!" I am so thankful for him helping me push through that experience and it turned out to be a great one. I played basketball all throughout high school and my relationships with my teammates became positive and supportive! He really believed in me, even in the moments I did not believe in myself. That was a powerful feeling to experience and I still remember it to this day. 

Daddio and baby me 

Can I just say Randy and I are beyond excited to start a family of our own! I feel it in me: this growing desire to be a mother. Randy's potential as a father is easy to sense and I know he is looking forward to this next stage of life too--whenever it may come. He takes on a fatherly role with nieces, nephews, and kids from church that I love to witness. So although we are not biological parents yet I celebrated Father's Day with Randy by cooking him his favorite breakfast: spam, eggs, turkey bacon, and waffles. He didn't have to work on Father's Day so we were able to spend it together. 
   
Girl's Camp
From June 9-12th we had 14 young women come to camp at Bellows in our branch! It was an amazing experience for the girls and for myself as a leader. We hiked the Lanikai pillboxes with the girls, and everyone got to stay in cottages on the beach--talk about spoiled! As leaders, we did devotionals with the girls each day and on one special night they got to go through a sensory experience that walked them through the life of Christ--it was so cool! We also had a testimony meeting at the end that really strengthened me. These girls are so special and it was such a joy to feel of their spirits and see them through God's eyes with so much potential. The testimony meeting was by far one of my favorite parts.  

They also got to do a bunch of other stuff like swimming at the beach, ride Surrey bikes around the base (they almost gave me a heart attack a few times with their driving skills), play games like Werewolf, Spoons, and Bananagrams. We did one craft, and went out on kayaks and SUP boards. However, there was a shark siting and we had to get out of the water for a little bit. The girls were helpful with meal prep and even had the opportunity to do service on the base planting indigenous plants near the beach. Randy even came the first day and half as security with his buddy Jeremy. 

Girl's camp service project

Working hard :)

Kayaking at Bellows.

Crazy girls!

An intense round of Pens--aka: Spoons.

Playing Werewolf was hilarious!

Napping under a paddle--at least her face didn't get burnt

Playing in the sand

Yes--there was a shark siting!

Aren't they kind of adorable?!

The amazing leaders I get to work with!

Connexsh Roomies Reunite

Stephanie, one of my roomies from college was visiting Hawaii and stopped to see me! It was so good to talk with her and to see how much she has grown since we were little, crazy, college kids living in this ghetto duplex called the Connection we coined the Connexsh (I don't really know why). I met her and her sisters at Ted's Bakery, they got some goodies, and we walked to Sunset Beach, plunked ourselves down in the sand and talked about life. In a sense, my college life seems SO long ago as I try to recall memories of what my life used to be like, but at the same time I find myself thinking I am still a new college grad until I do the math (it's been 4 years since I graduated--that's a whole other college degree worth of time).  

Reunited and it feels so good--who knows that song?

The Price's Visit Hawaii

Randy also had an old roommate from college visiting Hawaii with his wife. We were able to meet up and hang out. Randy thought it would be fun to take Josh and Kelli to Laie Point and jump off. I was pretty nervous, but determined to beat my time (the first time I jumped off the point it took me about 15-20 minutes--this time it only took me 1-2 minutes). It was pretty exhilarating and thankfully, Randy jumped with me. The Prices also came to church with us and helped double the size of the congregation--we are in a small branch!  

Josh and Kelli

Randy and I taking the plunge

Hiking with My Girls
Randy and I decided to do a little hike with some of the girls I work with from church. They are out of school and since many of them had never done the Sunset Beach pillbox hike we decided to take them. It had been raining recently so the ground was muddy and slippery at times but we managed. 

View from the top

Working our way up the muddy trail

Happy Birthday to Me! (thanks mom for doing all the work)

I turned 27 on the 6th, but I had to work that day: I took my elderly residents to Oceanfest at Turtle Bay. I didn't really mind because Randy had to work too. Randy and I celebrated later by going to Kahuku Farms Cafe (one of my favorites) and surprising me with a sweet gift--a long sleeve spring wetsuit! Ok, you may think, "You live in Hawaii! Why on earth would you need a wetsuit?" But just trust me--I do! I have always been a sissy when it comes to the "cold" and since I  have used the suit, it has really helped me enjoy surfing in windy or rainy weather. My work also sent me free movie tickets and I surprised Randy on another day by taking him to see Mad Max with Wendy and Jacob. Needless to say, he was in man heaven. 

Getting ready to make my debut into the world.  Photo taken April of 1988

Work Update

I have a new recreational therapy intern working with me for the next couple months and I am loving it! She helps me so much and it makes a big difference to have an extra set of hands. For work this month I helped plan an LDI (leadership development institute) for the hospital leaders. I really enjoy arranging events like this. From figuring out the venue, the food, and helping decide on what will be presented it was pretty fun. We had a guest speaker, but my favorite part was going to Waimea Valley and hiking to the waterfall with our group at the end of the day.

Randy is continuing to work at the Aikahi Fire Station (HFD station #19) in Kailua and gets along with his crew (he works with 4 other firefighters) really well. His captain is an amazing cook and sets the bar pretty high compared to the average fire station. I have to say that I LOVE his job! I don't love that he has to be gone for 24 hours at a time, but his overall schedule is amazing.   

May 2015

"The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever." 

-Jacques Cousteau

Leftovers with Chris and Jill
This was such an epic day--Chris officially stood up and surfed after years of no surfing due to knee injuries! This guy had both of his knees replaced and now he is back up and surfing-talk about being hard core! Leftovers is where Chris has been surfing since his 20's and now he is back. It was an awe-inspiring feeling to see him stand up and surf again. Afterwards, the four of us went snorkeling close to shore and found treasures to take home. 

I love this picture of them :)

Chris surfing like no one's business!

Jill insisted on this pose

<3

World Ocean Peace

Gettin'  my mermaid on

Chris and Jill hold hands while they snorkel :)

Moser Baptism
Randy's cousin, Jamie and her family, came out to Hawaii and had their son, Vance, baptized in Waialua. Randy and I were grateful that we had the opportunity to go although we may have gotten confused and went to a chapel in the opposite direction and were quite perplexed to see no one there. After a quick phone call we realized we went to the wrong chapel! Luckily we made it before it was over. Jamie is hilarious and I have to say their children are some of the sweetest kids I have ever met! The Moser clan even came to church with us the next day in Kahuku and I was able to hold baby Bruno most of the time--I was in baby heaven! 

The Moser/Burgoyne/Saunders Clan

Nadia's Recital
Randy and I were so excited to see Nadia perform in her dance recital down in Waialua! We had been to some of her practices and she seemed to really enjoy dancing with her friends. However, on the day of the recital she got a little stage fright and did not perform with her group. Luckily, her dad took her up at the end and danced with her. Poor Nadia cried a little bit here and there but guess who can always make this little girl smile--her Uncle Randy! I seriously wonder sometimes if Randy is a child whisperer. Although we do not have kids of our own yet, he seems to be able to calm children down pretty easily.  I'm sure we will feel differently once we have kids of our own but I love seeing Randy and how he treats his nieces and nephews. I am not gonna lie--he may possibly be a better baby sitter than I am.

Nadia all smiles with Uncle Randy

 Surfing at Gas Chambers
I took a few pictures this day of Randy surfing and thought this shot was cool. The water is impressively clear! On days like this, when it is too big for me to surf, I like to read my books, layout and snap shots of Randy. 

Open Mic Nights = Free Entertainment
Jacob and some of his siblings have been performing at open mic's around the island. Randy and I have been able to go twice this month and see them perform in Wahiawa at Surfers Coffee Bar. We also watched Jacob perform another time at Turtle Bay. As I watched the performers and observed the crowd  I felt myself rewinding back in time when Randy and I were dating in Utah and we would go to shows like this and watch our friends perform. There really is so much to enjoy in this world that costs very little or is free!  

Two of the younger McMillan kids showing off their mad skills

 Jacob singing his heart out at Turtle Bay

Memorial Day
I am grateful for the country in which we live! I am grateful for the people who have sacrificed and continue to sacrifice so that we can enjoy the freedoms and opportunities we each have. A few years ago I was able to volunteer at the NVSSC (National Veterans Summer Sports Clinic) for a week in San Diego. In that week alone my love for them grew and I developed a better understanding for what each of them individually sacrificed for me. I hope we can take a moment to remember the people who have died and sacrificed so much on our behalf; to be alive at this time in history is truly a blessing. 

Beach Time
Look at this sweet little girl and that tongue! She was having such a blast digging holes in the sand, playing in the water, and waving that stick around everywhere she went. Randy and I joined Wendy and her fam near Ali'i Beach Park after we stopped at one of my favorite lunch spots--the Beet Box Cafe. 

Digging a huge hole for a bath tub

Girl's Camp Fundraiser
This month was very busy with my young women's fundraiser for girl's camp. The young women did an Italian dinner complete with lasagna, salad, bread, and a cupcake for dessert. They also sold cakes as part of a cake auction for Mother's Day and they did so well! We were able to raise all the funds necessary to go to camp, which is a relief considering we have camp next month.

April happenings 2015

April '15

Health Update
This whole experience with my tumor has truly been a good experience for me. I am not saying I have loved every single moment but I am truly grateful for what I am learning. In fact, I made a list of all the things that have improved since I began working with Tracy and I can honestly say I was able to write 20 things that have improved in my health! That's right--20 things that are better because of the changes I am making! In fact, when I went home this month, my mother looked at my back (I have a "scar" there because I have had scleroderma since I was pretty young) and she began to tear up and almost cry. "It looks SO much better Brooklyn!" I was elated to hear this from her--my mama don't lie! 

Doing a little juicing :)

Fruit is becoming a huge part of my life! 

Easter Egg Hunt (no kids allowed)
Have I mentioned how great Chris and Jill are!? They are full of spunk, loads of energy, and both of them really enjoy the simple things in life--like egg hunts! No, there were no kids in attendance. Yes, the four of us "adults" hunted for eggs. It was girls versus boys and it was a blast.

Chris and Randy closing their eyes while the girls hide the eggs in the backyard. 

They may have won. 

Jill asking for hints from Chris. 

Gettin' stealth 

Other April Happenings

Surfing at Turtle Bay with Maria Bonita!

Isn't she adorable?! Our niece getting her dance on. 

I loved watching Nadia's dance lessons. These girls were hilarious--and graceful ;)

Hiking the Lanikai Pillboxes
Randy and I drove down to Kailua to meet up with this girl named Emily. She is really good friends with my buddy Lauran. We decided to meet up and go on this hike since Emily was in Kailua for a vacation nannying a bunch of kids. I don't think I can ever get sick of this hike though--the water is incredible!

Randy I and I 

Randy on L&L Fire
The fire that broke out happened to be next to the fire station Randy is located at! L&L (located in the Aikahi Shopping Center) caught on fire from a stove being left on overnight. Randy and his crew received a call early in the morning (around 3 am) on Thursday, April 30th. They were able to put the fire out pretty quickly and no one was injured or hurt. Here is a quick news clip covering the fire.

Trip Home to Blythe (April 16th-27th)
I was able to go home and see all my family (besides Landon who is on a mission in Mexico) on the mainland! Jennifer was so kind and picked me up from the Phoenix airport and took me to this healthy cafe and we got some yummy juice and breakfast to make the drive to Blythe. I loved every day of being with my family. My mom made so many delicious and healthy meals I couldn't believe how easy it was to stick with my good ole' fruits and veggies!

My family is pretty quirky but I absolutely love it! We spent a lot of time laughing and cracking jokes. We also went to the river and Jen taught us how to golf (country style). Went to church in my home ward and felt so good catching up with many of the amazing people I grew up with.  Some of my other favorite memories were of watching Pride and Prejudice--the director's version with the clan. My family is mildly obsessed with this movie. Yes, even my dad! Although, I am not sure he would admit to it.

We went on some walks out in the desert and on the canals. My family quoted Master of Disguise frequently and we played some niners (one of my dad's favorite card games) and we even had a pancake breakfast with some of my high school buddies.

Another cool thing was that I was able to meet Tracy (I like to call her my health guru) in person for the first time! Her and her husband came over for Sunday dinner and we had a great time getting to know one another and sing happy birthday to her! It was such a good feeling to meet her in person and to take in pieces of her wisdom and knowledge. We also met one other time for lunch and discussed health for hours--I loved every second of it.

At the river with Jen and Brent. 

Jen teaching mom how to golf. 

Connecting with my inner Michelle Wie

Putting a plug in for river golfing!

Love these two cute peas in a pod. 

The water was pretty cold as you can tell from mom's reaction. 

Attempting to pull dad it--it didn't happen. 

Trying out some wrestling moves before we go to the river. 

The cutest right?! Dancing on the river :)

The fam with Tracy

My health guru

Road Trip Part 1: Irvine
Jen, my momma and I ended up taking a girl's road trip to visit some family in in the Irvine area. We were able to see my aunt Tanya, eat some good food with her and visit at her house. I also got to visit my sister-in-law (Randy's brother's wife) Robyn and her kids! We went out to eat at this delicious and healthy restaurant and talked about life--probably two of my most favorite things to do! While we were traveling we actually were able to save some money and eat healthy because everyone had their own massive, designated salad containers we kept in the car. My mom bought a HUGE bag of cabbage to make salads with while on the road and brought a cooler for a bunch of fruits and veggies. For some reason this was one of my favorite memories from this trip. I love how much my mom cares about health and how she is always trying to make it a priority--even on our girly road trips :) You really can have fun and eat healthy.

Jen, Tanya and my mama

Visiting Robyn and the fam in Irvine

Road Trip Part 2: Vegan in Vegas
After visiting family in California we drove to Vegas to see Elise (my youngest sister). She drove down from Provo and her fiancee Jonathan got us the hook ups for a nice place to stay. We had such a good time together from playing bananagrams, attempting to go hot tubbing, doing yoga in our hotel room and cracking up as we try to do different poses. We also went on a hunt with Elise to find her some good shoes (this girl is so dang thrifty and is always trying to make things last waaay longer than they should). One of Jen's old roomies came over to the hotel and partied with us too!

We also went to this tasty raw cafe and our food was pretty dang good. We each ordered something different and sampled a little bit of everything from one another's plates. I also got to fulfill a small "dream" of mine while in Vegas--we went to the bodies exhibit!!! Yes, I may slightly be a nerd but I have been wanting to go since college!

Oh and it's official--my sister Elise is getting married! It was nice to talk with her since I had not seen her since before her mission. She is such kind and loving soul. I am so grateful I got to visit with her and have late night chats about her future.

Delicious raw cafe

Girl's road trip

Desserts we shared at the raw cafe

Getting stoked to go inside!

Ain't that the truth!!

My mom and I--NO alcohol involved! 

Haven't seen this lady since before her mission!

Last Sunday dinner together before I head back to Hawaii.