Kaipo's bday survey

Kaipolani Keli'i-Age 7
How are you like your dad? I have brown eyes
How are you like your mom? We like to take care of Nalu
What's one thing that your dad has that you'd like to develop? basketball
What's one thing that Dad always says to you? I love you
What's one thing that you and Dad did together that you'll always remember? Father and Sons outing
If you had a million dollars, what's the first thing you'd buy? DS
How do you know that I (mom) love you? Always take care of me and making sure I am protected
What's your favorite cereal? Froot loops
What's your favorite movie? Spy Kids
What's your favorite vegetable? Corn on the cob
What personal item that you would never give away? Star wars toys
What's your favorite game? Poptropica
What's your favorite book? Star Wars Clone Wars
What food would you eat every day if you could? KFC
If you could choose a different name, what would it be? Luke
What's the scariest thing you've ever done? Getting lost in Walmart
If you could eat at any restaurant for the rest of your life, where would it be? Asian Buffet
What's your favorite candy bar? NerdRope
What's the last thing that you did that you were proud of? Read 5 chapters in my book today
What's the best age to be? 8, because you get baptized
What's your favorite holiday? Christmas, because we celebrate Jesus’ birthday
What's the best present you ever got? The puppy grandma and grandpa just gave me for my birthday from Finland

Birthday Boy

We were lucky this year that Kaipo's birthday

fell on a LONG holiday weekend. So we got to

spend lots of time together and have some fun.

He requested bisquits and gravy for

Breakfast in Bed (of which he took about 2 bites of).

Then it was time to rip open all the presents,

that he literally picked out himself.

This year that seemed like the easiest thing

to do and he was happy with that idea!

That afternoon, Karli and Kaiya came down,

and we took Ame, Ash, Kaipo and two of his friends

to Planet Play. I found a great discount online

and it seemed like a great plan

(but so many other people thought the same thing).

Duh, it was a holiday...what was I thinking?!?

they all still had a great time stuffing their faces

with All you can Eat pizza and doing as many acitivities

as out 2 hour pass would allow.

Unfortunately, we didn't get to do everything

and had to wait it long lines for

Lazer Tag and Bumper Cars, we didn't

even get to go on the Go Carts, but did get

to play mini golf/glow in the dark with no wait time.

Vincent, Kaipo and Aiden.

Vincent is a sweet boy and helps to balance out

the other two crazy boys!

Don't like Ash sticking out his tongue but had

to throw this one in there to prove that Kaiya

(and Karli) were actually there.

Didn't even get a picture with Ame in it.

I spent most of my time trying to keep track of

5 wild, active kids. Kaiya was probably worn out

by the end of the day just watching and trying to keep

up with the energy of this WILD bunch!

Karli thank you soo much for making the

drive down and then spending most of

your day with us (longer than I am sure

you anticipated). Hope Kaiya had a little fun

even though most everything she was just a bit

too small for. Love and appreciate you!
**************************************

Oh my Kaipolani.

This boy is the reason I am getting gray hair.

But as hard as he may be, I can't imagine my

life without him. He is soo sweet (when he wants to be)

and loves to cuddle, he is very emotional and passionate

(sometimes this is good and others times...aaahhhh),

he is soo incredibly smart. Doesn't love to read, but

is soo good at it! He has more energy during

a few hours of the day than I can muster

up in a whole week. He memorizes all the

articles of faith last year and was soo

proud each week in Primary to go up and

share what he knew. Everyone was amazed, to say

the least. He grows faster than the weeds in my

yard and I can't keep up with his growth

clothes and shoes wise. He wears a size 4 shoe

and is in the first grade!

I just LOVE Kaipo soo much and know that life will

be full of challenges with him, but also know that

not a day will go by that he won't say he loves me

and his giant hugs just make each one of my days

soo much better!!

a bit to share

So I wasn't really going to discuss my personal situation on here, but I think, if anything, it would be healthy and good for me to do so. Quinn and I seperated last month, in January. A decision that has been needed for some time now. To put it nicely, our priorities have just grown far too distant and I am beginning to understand what "Irreconcilable Differences" really means. Going back to teaching this year was one of the hardest decision I had to agree to make. I was not happy about it, but at this end of it, I can't imagine if I wouldn't have done it. It has kept me sane. It has given me space and seperation when it was very much needed. Life has continued to become very overwhelming, just trying to juggle and balance everything. I always feel a few steps behind, and I am still trying to learn where to draw the line between what NEEDs to get done and what has to get done. I just can't do it all, like I use to. I have learned to let a lot of things go that use to drive me crazy if they weren't done. I am learning to be OK with things not being perfect (or even close to it). Quinn continues to come to the house during the day and work from here and continue our arrangments of him taking care of Nalu and Ash during the day while I work. There are things that he chooses to do during his time with the boys that I don't agree with, but that is another battle I am choosing to not fight. He leaves when I come home from work and I remove my teacher hat and put back on my mom hat. Although the two of them intertwine quite a bit. I feel frustrated with the heavy responsiblity I carry to TRY and get my kids (mostly Kaipo) to get his homework done, fix dinner, juggle schedules when needed, and that is probably a big reason why my kids are not in any after school acitvities except Ame in Hula and her activity days. I know they want and should do more things, but I feel overwhelmed as it is. I am though, finally starting to feel like this is my NEW life, and that I can do this single mom thing, so maybe soon enough I will feel like I can add more to my plate. Not only am I challenged with my job, and now my seperation from Quinn, but Kaipo I am sure has ADHD. I went to a seminar a few weeks ago and everything that was talked about as signs, I could just shake my head and said yep, thats Kaipo and oh that is definitely how he does things,etc. I am in regular communication with his school teachers about behavior issues and have also contacted the school psychologist for additional help. This is definitely a characteristic that Kaipo inherited from his father, and yet I am the only one who sees it has a REAl challenge and will be (I am convinced) the only one who seeks out help and does something to help Kaipo deal with it.
So to say the least life feels overwhelming and I would be lying if I didn't have thoughts that this is soo not fair and why did I get all of this...
But I am constantly praying and trying to have patience to one day see and understand the need for this challenge in my life. I know for sure patience is a quality I lack greatly, so that I am sure if one area I need to learn and grow in. I definitely am making it, one day at a time. My kids and the tremendous love and support I feel from my amazing family and close friends is what gives me strength to keep fighting, trying and hangin' on.... At times I felt soo alone, but have also felt my Saviors Love more than I ever have before. My down times have not lasted too long because I am quickly comforted by the spirit. I am realizing that my Heavenly Father truly know ME and what I am going through. My Savior suffered the same sorrows I feel and that lifts me, then helps me pick myself up, put my head and say tomorrow WILL BE a better day!

indoor swimming

I remembered why, after taking the kids

swimming indoors, why you just don't

go swimming in the winter.

They have been begging to go for

a while now, so I finally agreed one

saturday if they got their jobs done

I would take them.

Yes the water is somewhat heated

but I was cold the whole time, and

was ready to go after about 10 minutes.

If I didn't have Nalu I would have just

let the kids take the plunge themselves, but

that wasn't an option this day.

Thankfully was taking on her

big sister roll quite well this day

(doesn't always come so easily).

Seeing these pictures Ash was just asking
me when we are going to go again...
um, in about 4 months (if we are lucky)
when the sun is shining bright and it
is FINALLY warm!!

How Ash looks in this picture is about
how mom felt the whole time.
And the kids kept drying off
every 10-15 minutes saying they were done
and then back in again they would go.
I am sure after a while their towels were no longer
warm and inviting?!

Thankfully Nalu was entertained by this thing
for quite some time. The pool has a big
climbing spraying thing, which
to this mom who didn't want to get
wet in the first place, it was just annoying,
all the kids (not just mine) running around
splashing didn't make my attitude any
more postive...can you tell.
But the things I do are never really
about ME most of the time (as I am sure
it is the same for most mom), it is
all about...the KIDS!!

And a bag of fish can occupy quite a bit
of time as well!

Another adventure...just me and the kids!

random

I know you may be thinkng, who is that cute

girl with the curly hair?

That would be our darling Kaipo, wearing his sisters

hairpiece from dance, as a wig and her robe.

SILLY boy!!

Ash laying my the heater vent

in the kitchen cuz he was cold.

Another silly boy!!

And Nalu just copying his big brother, cuz that

is what he does best!

Moms and Munchies

The kids school had dads and donuts a while back,

well can't forget moms, right?!

Well, it was a quick visit but I made it for a short

time before I had to race off to my own school.

Ash isn't officially a Sand Springs Stallion yet

but he was feeling left out, so he tagged a long!

(I hate close ups...you can see my aging lines)

My phone camera, which all these blog post

pictures come from doesn't take

as good of pictures as it clames.

The start of many...

I have A LOT of catching up to do.

So here goes the whirlwind of many posts!

Ame, Kaipo, Ash and I spent an afternoon at Boondocks,

over a long weekend in January, just for fun.

Ash's favorite-mini bowling.

This is one of the kids favorite new attractions.

It is called Typhoon. It is a virtual ride that

feels like they are on a roller coaster, airplane

ride or one of the other cool options.

I must say it is quite fun!!

Let it SNOW...finally

We finally got some snow!

And almost everyone was excited

to go out and play in the white stuff?!

Nalu didn't last too long, but wanted

to see what all the excitement was about.

I had talked to the kids about taking them

sledding at the park, but then Ash wasn't feeling good

most of the day (and quinn was gone)

so Ame and kaipo resorted to

trying to make their own little hill

to slide down.

Not sure what Kaipo was doing, but
that is often the questions.
This kid is full of imagination!

And now the kids are tired out and sleeping
in their warm beds. I am sure there will be
many more days to have fun in the snow.
(I prefer fun in the SUN)

D & D

Friday was Dadd and Donuts at the kids school.

ALL the kids got to join in on the fun!

They didn't really have a choice, but nobody was

complaining.

Mmmm...

Quinn's mom gave us a nice big pineapple for

Christmas, and we finally cracked it open.

(well not really CRACKED...)

Before my parents left on their mission,

in cleaning out stuff and packing,

they decided to pass this nifty instrument

on to me. Boy does this thing work awesome!!

2 of the 4 kids were lovin' this pineapple

It was a tasty one!!

scripture power

As part of my primary lesson last week, about

the Book of Mormon, we made these...

MY primary lessons make for great FHE lessons,

and of course anything having to do with candy

interests the kids. One of our new years resolutions

as a family is to read the Book of Mormon together.

So making these just SWEETENED the deal!!

Here's to hopefully many days of happy reading.

Cousins

During the break Ame got to have 2 of her cousins

sleep over for a couple of days.

WOW, I feel for those of you with 3 girls!!

Actually they get along really well.

It was Kaipo and Olivia, who bugged each

other the most. Olivia (middle) preferred

most of the time to hang out with Kaipo.

She is an only child, and I think she

longs for a brother!?

These girls played dress up,

made videos, played LOTS of

Just Dance 3. Ame loves

this opportunity, because it gives her a taste
of what it would be like to have sisters.

They are pretty silly together!!

A few more...

I found a few more pictures on my phone that I wanted to share.

Nalu's favorite things this christmas has been these books that MY parents and also Quinn's dad gave to us last christmas. He carries these around all the time, asking anyone to READ GRANDPA. Unfortunately, they haven't held up soo well and therefore sometimes they work and sometimes they don't.

Another memorable event was our Hanamaikai Christmas gathering. We ate and ate, then had a visit from HAWAIIAN Santa. Some of the kids were fooled and some...not soo much!

The cousins also did their gift exchange and everyone LOVED their gifts. They all seem to know each other pretty well and what like! My kids were definitely HAPPY!! We love our time together with family. We just don't seem to get it as often as we'd like!

Christmas Eve-Day

Because we had school through Wed.

this mom was just too busy to squeeze

this in any time before. So Christmas Eve day we made

gingerbread houses and christmas cookies.

It was a big messy afternoon, but it wouldn't be

Christmas without these traditions!

Our Christmas Eve program included:

lots of music (both spiritual and not-so-much)

The New Video-A Gift to the World, our

reinactment of the Nativity (wasn't the

greatest this year, but its all about tradition, right)

reading of "Teach the Children", our favorite story

and CD "God Bless your Way", our Gifts to

Jesus-White Stocking. After we gave our gifts

to Jesus, the kids got to open one gift...new jammies.

Another of our favorites on Christmas is watching

Mr. Krueger's christmas.

Then we had to get ready for Santa's arrival

and sprinkle reindeer food

and leave a note, cookies and egg nog for Santa

(the other note is his note in return).

The kids all went to sleep very easily,

so mom could make some last minute

preparations.

The kids were happy with what they got,

especially there $$ from Grandma and Grandpa Asplund.

It was easier for me to just give them the

money this year, and let them choose what they

want rather than me take more time and TRY and

guess something for each of them.

(I suggested tonight they spend some

AND then save some)

Thankfully Nalu slept through most of the present opening

and we got him up when we were finishing up.

That way he wouldn't be ripping into everyone else's

and we could just focus in him at that point!

I told him to smile and so he folded his arms

and said CHEESE! A little mixed up but oh well?!

Give me all YOUR candy and I am one happy boy!

The kids all dressed up for church.

Ame and Quinn are in the choir and

we had a wonderful, spirit-filled program.

I missed the beginning because, right as

sacrament started Nalu fell and bit his lip real

bad! I hurried to the restroom to try and stop

the bleeding. You can still see the teeth marks.

It bled a ton!! He cried soo much he tired himself out

and slept through the program. Poor little guy!

But at lesat I didn't have to wrestle him.

I didn't get any pictures, but I made my first attempt

at making a turkey dinner and felt pretty good about

the results. Definitely room for improvement,

but nothing burned and everyone seemed satisified.

Quinn' s mom and step-dad came to our ward

and stayed the afternoon with us. Frankie

is always soo helpful, cleaning my house and

just lending an extra hand. We ate and just

hung out, watched the kids play/fight over their new toys.

It was a fairly relaxing day and I think,

at least for part of the day, everyones hearts and focus were

in the RIGHT PLACE!

I am thankful this Christmas Season for the peace

and spirit I have felt. I am soo thankful for my

Savior. For his sacrifice, his love and perfect example.

I am thankful to have a knowledge of HIM and know

of his LOVE for me. It has carried me through some

difficult times in life.

I am also thankful for my family and friends,

both near and far. For their love, prayers, kindness,

caring and generosity towards me and my family.

I am satisfied and tired, so I will end by saying...

Merry Christmas to all and to all a GOOD Night!!