The happenings of July-September '14

July '14

Our First Bon Dance
Randy and I went with friends to the Haleiwa Jodo Mission. This was our first time going and I loved it!! The Bon dance is a Japanese Buddhist custom that honors their ancestors. They have food available and people light lanterns at the end of the night and let them drift out to sea. My favorite part was the dancing and the music! I didn't know the steps at all but learned from the pro's who were in front of me. After Cydonia and I danced for what seemed like forever, we met up with our friends Justin and Leslie Haskell and watched as everyone lit their paper lanterns and placed them in the ocean.

Cyd and I getting our groove on!

The lighting of the lanterns

We were SO tired by the end of the night---can you tell?

Leslie, me, and Cyd

Josh and Debbie visit Hawaii
Josh and Randy go way back when they both taught at Kahuku High School and it just so happens that Josh and Debbie were bringing their family out for a vacation and we were lucky enough to spend some time with them while they were here! Debbie and I went on a hike close to Gunstock Ranch and then their family and Randy and I were able to hike up to the pill boxes by Sunset Beach Elementary. Their three children are so cute!!! At one point during the trip little Ezra got stung by a jellyfish and guess what you do when that happens? You PEE on it!! So sure enough Josh did the honors and tried a host of other remedies (papaya, essential oils,etc). Debbie and I hit it off right away---I kind of wish they would move out here!

Overlooking Sunset

The cute Keliiheleua Family

Hiking PCC Falls with the Young Women

For one of our weekly activities this month we hiked with our girls in Laie behind BYUH and we made it back just as it was getting dark! The entrance gates got locked with our cars STILL inside so we had to walk over and ask for help. The girls had a fun time and so did I! At the end  is a small "waterfall" and rope swing, which were the highlight of the hike. 

Tea and I  taking the plunge

August '14

Randy Graduates 

I can't tell you how proud I am of Randy for making it through the academy! The graduation was on August 22nd and his parents came out for this special occasion. Wendy and Nadia were also able to come to the ceremony. Randy looked so handsome in his uniform and his dad did the honors of pinning on his badge. This was a very touching moment and Jim began to tear up, which made me tear up too!

There were speeches, awards, good food, and a lot of opportunities for handing out leis and taking pictures. My husband is an official fire fighter for the Honolulu Fire Department! He has earned this and worked very hard to get to this point. 

The 99th Fire Fighter Recruit Class

Jim pinning the badge 

A proud Mama!

Wendy and Nadia congratulating Uncle Randy

My smokin' hot fireman :)

Chris and Jill took us to Buzz's Steakhouse to celebrate 

Party time with Walrus and Teasing

These are the nicknames that Jim and Pam have inherited from family members. They stayed in a beach house close to us in Sunset and we were able to play tennis together, walk the bike path, go on scenic rides, snorkel at 3 Tables (I taught Pam how and that was pretty fun), and go SUP'ing at Kawela Bay. We all got to spend time together with Chris and Jill eating amazing food (Grommet burgers) and playing Wits and Wagers until people were crying from laughter. 

Pam and Jim at a local fruit stand

Showing off her Crossfit skills

Uncle Randy and our nephew Holden

Yeah sexy mama!

Kawela Bay

Pam should have been a model

Wendy and my sweet niece Nadia

Trip to the Honolulu Zoo

Randy was able to go to the zoo with his sister Wendy, bro-in-law Jacob and their kids Holden and Nadia. I had to work this day but I loved the pictures from their trip I just had to put a few up!

This little girl LOVES her Uncle Randy

Nadia with the scary Hippo!

Seriously, Randy is going to rock as a dad!

September '14

Surprises

Ok, I am not one to really hold back. I don't really care if people know about my life for the most part because I really don't have anything "juicy" to hide so I am just going to say it. 

I have a BENIGN, SMALL tumor in brain on my pituitary that is affecting my ability to have children currently. Randy and I had been trying to start a family of our own and my friend recommended I see her OB---I hadn't had my period for over three years. I didn't really think it was a big deal and tried to just believe it would happen in its own time. But coincidentally I ended up driving to a doctor's appointment with my friend and she told me to set up the appointment. 

I am so grateful for her loving push to do this because it led me to find out sooner about this tumor. To make a long story short I was referred to an endocrinologist who did blood work and had me get an MRI to confirm it. I have hyperprolactinemia (too much prolactin in my body) because of the tumor which has cut off my period and has stopped me from ovulating.  

At first I was in shock but to tell you the truth I felt surprisingly calm. I just knew God was mindful of me and I didn't doubt that I would have children---I know this is a big reason in why I am here on this earth is to be a mom. 

And do make sure no one freaks out: this tumor is slow-growing, it is small in size (4mm), and it isn't cancerous. It isn't going to kill me or anything so everyone just be calm :)

My first initial lab results 

Baby William and I

This picture means a lot to me because this was the day I went to the OB's office with my friend Leslie and she convinced me to set up my initial with Dr. Lin. I remember thinking I was doing HER a favor by going to this appointment and helping her take care of baby William but in reality she was the one who did me the REAL favor and for that I am eternally grateful.

As you can tell I am going through this month by month so I will write more updated info later.