A Month and a half later....

Since my last post we have moved to a house.  We're happy to be where we live right now because it's only a 3 minute walk to the boys school and 5 minute drive to Mike's work.  Our household goods came last Friday. What a perfect timing,  Mike  had to leave for a TDY the next day.  It's not so fun unpacking by myself but someone has to do it. I'm just grateful that our stuff are here.  No more sleeping on a futon! Here's what we've been up to this last month...

The boys started school and loving it.  We have a 2nd grader and a kindergartner.

Church boys

They both sported a missing front tooth for a week until MJ lost his other one too.

war face

We continued to spend a lot of time on the beach. We also had family and friends who visited the island, so we were really at the beach  a LOT.

some swim tops are not made for boogie boarding

Uncle and Mike trying to sync paddling the kayak

working together

poor Nyle got stung by a jellyfish :( but he was okay after  the spray, crying then taking a nap.. no peeing happened

Makapuu Lookout, with Aunty Shena and the little uncles

K-bay in the background, we're on our way to the beach again

Maka throwing a shaka

somebody's having fun while I'm watching the kids :D

our little BOO

look at that water... this is on K Bay Marine Corps base beach

Super Tan and Stink Eye

Enough with the beach, let's go down  memory lane. 

 A decade ago was when our journey together began.  Who knew that a 2 week courtship-engagement-wedding will work this well!  It's been  crazy, exciting and fun!  I'm grateful to be married to my bestfriend. I know that is so cliche and it sounds like a Jason Mraz song but really this guy is my best buddy and I'm really grateful to be his missus now and forever. 

Welcome to the Rainbow State

After 14 hours of traveling, it was nice to be welcomed with the smell of flowers, fresh Hawaiian air, and people looking like us everywhere....

back to being common


It all started at SFO waiting to board our flight to Honolulu, Naia noticed other kids that looked like her brothers.  She went over to them to say hi and just stared at them, as if asking, "are you my brothers too?" Since our arrival here, she's been calling local people, Dad, Papa(for Grandpa), MJ, Nyle and even Julie, my Brazilian friend who can pass as a local Hawaiian.  Here, people know I'm Filipino... Nobody will think I'm  Korean, Chinese or even Laotian like some people did in MD.   Now to work on my  pidgin...


the rainbow state

We were welcomed with a nice light rain... and what comes after the rain, a rainbow!  The boys were so excited to see one after another, we've seen  a rainbow each day since arriving.

the FOOD

Mike and I skipped the airplane meal because we were so excited for all the local food we were about to eat.  Dad picked us up at the airport with his boys and treated us to local McDo food: local cheeseburger with extra pickles, local fillet-o-fish, local nuggets and local french fries.  Later after checking in, Grandpa wanted to treat  his #1 grandson for his birthday, so we had some local ChuckECheese for dinner! So that started our local food binging. YaY!

loco moco: spam, egg, and rice

portuguese sausage, egg, and rice

musubi, mandoo, chix rice bowl, and lumpia

bbq Pinoy style

John's store musubi

shaved ice

And we're not done yet!  After their first local plate of spam, egg and rice, my boys declared that that was the best breakfast ever.  They've been requesting for musubi for lunch everyday.  I get to threaten them with no shave ice if they misbehave and it always works.  BTW, I'm not missing my pots and pans yet.

the beach

sigh.. need I say more?

The Graduate and the Birthday boy

I didn't have time to post about two special events that happened recently. So here it is before it gets over shadowed with Hawaii posts...
The Graduate

The graduate and the blog author

This year, the word thesis was added to my children's vocabulary.  Our Dad has been working hard to finish his  thesis and his hard work finally paid off.   He graduated and got his Masters Degree.  We're really proud of him!

skeet shooting

One of the things he missed the most while slaving away with his school work is shooting.  Here, he is celebrating post graduation.. poor birds ;)

Birthday Boy 

at 6 months old he crawled up and down the stairs all by himself; walked at 9 months old..

then he learned to dress himself up, open doors, climb everywhere, fix any loose screws around the house

he became a big bro; puzzles expert and Mom's big helper

He transitioned from an Island boy to East Coast boy.  It's time to wear real shoes and put some shirt on...

He learned about friendship and had his first crush..or crushes

As a school boy, his teachers commend him for not only being smart but also for being respectful.

What a blessing to have this boy in our life!

Our Kuya is another year older.  Last year he asked for scriptures for his birthday.  This year he wants a watch but not a digital one because he wants to learn how to read the hands. He also asked for books.  A few months ago, he asked me if he can have a Nintendo DS for his birthday.  I told him, I need to think about it because it's an expensive toy.   When he learned how much it costs, he told me he doesn't want it anymore.  I just wanted to give him a hug and tell him that for someone who is such a good helper at home and a consistent honor student, he deserves one.. I gave him a hug but didn't say anything. He wants books, why would I insist on the NintendoDS. Last night he asked, how old is he going to be when he can have an iPad.  :)   

Last one for MD

A day and a half left in MD... Officially homeless for the next few weeks, we're  looking forward to going back to the Islands,  but let's talk about MD first.  Mike and I both agree how much we'll miss this place.  I remember that it was nearing the end of winter when we first got here, 3 1/2 years ago.  There was still snow on the ground. It seem like everything looked gray and sad. 

backyard of our first home in Fort Meade

We were walking around in our not so thick jackets and our slippers.  We looked strange and out of place.  

The boys didn't know what to do when they first saw snow.  They're used to playing with sand.

I still remember our first sunny day. We decided to drive to the beach.. to Ocean City. It took us 3 hours to get there and when we got there, it was raining..and it continued to rain a lot on our way back home plus there was thunder and lightning. Needless to say, it was a very disappointing beach experience.

Spring came.  We couldn't believe our eyes.  That gray, sad looking place just turned so alive and beautiful.  We took tons of spring blossom pictures.. 

Cherry blossoms

Summer was spent a lot in the pool with great friends...

fun times

 Fall.. Fall here is just beautiful!.. 

first fall in Maryland

Winter came again, it was cold but this time we were dressed more warmly and we adapted to East Coast fashion. 

we survived the blizzard of 2010

We can't believe how time flew by and we're about to say goodbye to this place.  A lot of special memories... We met a lot of great people here whose friendship we will cherish forever. It was a  blessed 3 1/2 years... Goodbye MD, until we meet again!...

Another Update

We've been experiencing some heat wave the past days.  It's too hot even for me who grew up in  Philippine climate.  We're surely looking forward to the perfect Hawaii weather... 

First up for our update is not a happy one :(.. A couple of weeks ago we lost our baby.  We were really sad. I never had a miscarriage before and was  fully confident that I'll never have one .  Maybe the baby does not want to be half-baked Marylander but wants to be a true kama'aina...  The boys were disappointed, they have names picked out for the baby already and were truly excited for another addition to the family.  They've been asking me when I'm gonna get pregnant again. We'll see if Heavenly Father has another baby for us... we will see..

Now for some great news!...

We not only love our Daddy but we are truly proud of him.  He is finally done with his thesis and will be getting his Masters Degree before we leave.  We hardly saw him the past weeks because he was slaving away to finish his requirement. We're so happy,  now that he's done, we'll get to spend more time with him... 

Mike's thesis...

Mike(talking to the family): I worked so hard on my thesis, too bad you guys won't even get to read it.

MJ: Why Dad, did you write it in cursive?

funny MJ, someday he'll understand...

For Father's day we got him some ugly ties, which pictures I forgot to upload.  It was MJ's idea...and Mike really love them.  and of course a kukui nut lei, extra hugs and kisses.

on to the Kiddos....

my little helper

MJ's front tooth has not grown back yet.  This boy has been such a great help when Daddy was busy with school work.  Of the many things that he helped me with,  one thing made me all teary-eyed.  It was a busy day. Did a big grocery with the kids, came home, got groceries out with their help. Then prepared lunch. Naia was not feeling well so I tended to her. Few minutes later I remembered that I haven't put away the groceries yet.  When I went to the kitchen all I found were empty grocery bags on the floor and MJ who was putting the last groceries away.. in the right places too. I hope he stays like this for a long time!

Finally he completed his quarter collection! We can't  believe that the most difficult one to find was Michigan.  Thank you to all those who helped him complete his collection.  The picture above is obviously not his quarter collection but his piggy bank coins.  He wanted to make sure that he didn't accidentally put a Michigan quarter in, then he decided that he can make the USA map with his coins.

our little gleek.. 

While I was looking through some songs in the iPod..

Nyle: Mom, will you play Mr. Shoos's Dream on?

Me(bewildered):  which song is that?

Nyle: MOM(all bright eyed and knowing) the song that Mr. Shoos sang with the other guy and it's called Dream On!... then sings the song with some moves

I finally realized what he meant.  What a gleek! :) I think he has a bright future in the biz.

I found them one day playing pretend Sunday School.  Nyle was teaching the lesson on  King Benjamin.   Check out his illustration. King Benjamin on the tower teaching families in their tents.  I get surprise sometimes with how much things they learn. I love my kids!...

little tornado

Naia figured out how to open the refrigerator, say "gimme popsicle please" and "go outside".. She walks around singing Justin Bieber's Baby and One time.  She loves to dance, do naughty things like; grab his brothers' toys, food, hair. If you tell her not to do something, she'll surely do the opposite!  Somehow, she gets away with her mischievousness and we still adore her a lot.  

Fourth of July

We celebrated Independence day, having some pupus with good friends and watching the fireworks from our front yard.  

This will probably be my last update while we're still here in MD.  We will be pretty busy preparing for the move in the next couple of weeks.  We're excited of what lies ahead for our family but we will truly miss this place.  It was a blessed 3 1/2 years.  We made some good friends here that we will miss a lot...  Aloha oe, until we meet again!....

Number 4

It's the first day of Summer break for MJ, shouldn't I be sleeping in?.. The house is so quiet, the kids are still asleep.  Mike left early for a work field trip.  Load in the washer and dryer ... it's time to update our blog!

                                                                     Birthday Boy

Tino had a birthday last month!  He had a luau/costume/movie party with his school friends.  As you can see in the photo, he had lots of fun!  He turned 5, so the title is not about him.

                                                                       All about Tino

You'll see a lot of pictures of him in costume.  He likes to perform and express himself in play of movies and story characters he likes.  If not in costume he is making all kinds of characters with his Legos. Like most 5 year old, he LOVES to talk! He makes up story to entertain me while I'm prepping food in the kitchen.  He also loves to tell me of what he's going to do when he grows up.  He thinks he's in love with this girl, Victoria, one of his Pre-K friends.  Totally reminds me of Alfa-alfa in Little Rascals.  It's so cute!  He said: he wants to teach Victoria about Jesus Christ and baptize her, then they will get married. He then will work as a firefighter, ambulance driver, and a performing magician. Well, Victoria is one
lucky girl!...

                                                                        An avid reader

You'd think that with all the stuff he does, he doesn't have time to read.  He LOVES books.  He would wake up early, even if his school is in the afternoon just to make sure that I get to read him his books.  We can read together at least 5 books each day.  Last month, they had this reading award in school.  Nyle read over 200+ books since the start of the Reading program and that's me slacking with logging in the books we read together or I got tired of logging in certain books that we read more than 10 times.  We're proud of this boy!


                                                              Our Super Kuya MJ

Number 4 is not about MJ either.... but we are so proud of this boy too!  He's done with 1st grade and is looking forward to 2nd grade in Hawaii.  MJ was a consistent Principal's Honor student.  He also received services for the gifted and talented in school.  At home, he is like the 3rd parent.  He makes sure that Nyle is keeping the rules(which does not always happen :D), and that Naia is getting enough attention(and she always does).  He also sets an example of reverence to his little siblings at Church and during our scripture studies at home.  They don't always follow but I'm grateful for MJ's example! He's a good Kuya!  Even though there is this fierce competition between him and Tino in everything they do,  Tino loves and adores MJ.  And Naia just loves him too because he let's her get away with everything. Oh brother!

                                                                     Our Bebot!

Our favorite toddler!  But Number 4 is not about her either. She gained 2 more teeth the past month and now has a total of 12 !..She learned to open doors.  Not a good thing!  I have to be in constant watch if not she'll be in the backyard playing by herself or trying to get to her friend, Angel's house across the street.  I'm grateful with her brother's vigilance too.  They're always on the look out if she's trying to sneak outside when I'm doing my chores.  She's a handful but never the less she brings so much joy to us.  She's naughty, she's funny, she's smart!  You wont think she loves food because she is so tiny but she eats everything I cook.

                                                
                                                                 Being Mommy

                                                                    

I love being these 3's Mom and being Mike's Mrs.!  I loved my Mother's day!  Not because Mike got me an iPhone( though I really like it ;d) but because Nyle made a song for Mother's day and MJ said in his card that the thing he loves most about me is my being beautiful and Mike's card cracked me up!  We also got to celebrate it with Gramma Suzi!...

And you'd think that we have our hands full  with these 3!  We still have lots of  room for another 1! :)))

According to Mr. EPT, my expanding belly and my ever reliable pregnant radar we're having baby Number 4!!!