Marmie's First Game

Let the game begin.

While enjoying a lovely day at the beach,

our neighbors broke out their boxes,

and we couldn't help but notice.

Not to mention get in on it.

Marmie had watched many a game

from the sideline,

but never did play a game.

That was until today.

Carl and Derek (i think)

were nice enough to let Marmie play a round.

She asked all the usual questions,

and learned how to earn points

and cancel his out.

Marmie started to get the hang of it,
and began scoring!
She was happy just to get the washer on the box.
(on the box = 1 point)

Then she started getting the hang of it.
She even put a couple in the hole.
(Getting it in the hole = 3 points)



By the end of the game, her tita was showing.
Another round might have done it for her,
but then that would mean hogging the game from our new friends.

To me, the boxes still looked too close together.
But what do I know?
I'm just a spectator right.
No, I'm the cameraman!

McDonalds Banana Pie

"I want to eat one."

~Dane

Skype Me

i miss your face

i miss your smile

i love your laughter all the while

call me sweetheart

make me your own

im in love with you

tell me you love me

say it will be forever

promise me you'll be true

Niu Valley, O'ahu

Beautiful Manoa Sky

Its been a while since I've been to this island. Some things changed, a lot has stayed the same. Two of my brothers have joined the permanent residents of this "gathering place". We are now all home in the islands. I am grateful for the chance to see my ohana, but the same time missing my cold country. I cant believe how quickly time has passed. Or how much my nieces and nephews have grown. Kristina will graduate in a few months and Ocean is already taller than I am. I've met my young nephews that I knew only from photographs. I pray that my time here is productive, and that those withered family bonds are re-established, especially between my Godson and I. I pray that new strong bonds are created among us as well.

Portgugees Horseshoe (Washer Games)

Anuenue

I live for moments like these. I look forward to it all week long. I picked up the boys for a long weekend and 3 o'clock couldn't come soon enough. I admit, this isn't the way I had it planned out in my head, but its just the way that things are. Right now I have to go with the flow, and focus on them. The past is the past, bygones be bygones. I can only improve the way things are right now. Do I think he was wrong? Of course I do. But it takes two to tango right. Everyday is a new day, with no mistakes in it. God promises new and wonderful things. A beautiful rainbow today is just another symbol of God keeping his promises. He never said that this life would be easy... but He did say it would be worth it. Every moment we share is priceless and I will take what I can get. It wont always be this way, but for now, this is the way its got to be. I've got to deal with things now, the way they are, and count my blessings. I could complain nonstop about how unfair and wrong this all is. The truth is thou, things could be a whole lot worse. They could be kept from me all together. They could be lost in the system, and unreachable. But I'm making memories and contributing to the men these boys will become. I still get to kiss them goodnight, and help them with their homework. The only difference now is someone else shares the load. I know that God has a plan in all of this, and I trust in that and wait on his promise. Because unlike people, God always keeps his promise.

"Never again will I destroy the world with a flood.

I make this covenent with you and all the creatures.

From this day on,
there will always come a time for planting,
and a time for gathering up what was planted.

Day will always follow night,

the warm days of summer

will always follow

the cold and snow of winter

as long as the earth shall be.

Gen. 8:20 ~ 9:17

Every Other Weekend

Every other Sunday

I empty out my backseat

While my children hug their father in the parking lot

We dont touch

We dont talk

Maybe goodbye to eachother

Then he drives away with every piece of heart I've got

I reconvince myself we did the right thing

Every other weekend

Nana's Beach

Its peaceful knowing that there is a place that welcomes you with open arms. All your day, washed away beneath the waves. The cool waters lap around you, and it doesn't matter what you wear or what you look like, you're always welcomed here. Nothing more relaxing than having your feet in the sand and the sun shining down on you. The children playing on the shore brings back memories. I'm glad to be HOME.

Nana loved this beach and made it her own. She would lay for hours at the waterline and hunt for shells. Nana would talk about everything and anything, but the best was when she sang. She would get right now in the water and play with the little ones. Oh, if only to have her back, for just one day at the beach. So I will just have to settle for the shells she throws back at me.