New Years Resolutions

I love the feeling of having a new beginning. You can start from scratch, ignore the way that last year's goals fizzled out and try, try again. Here are some of my New Years Resolutions:
Educational:
1. Finish writing my book.
2. Design a webpage
3. Take the GRE
4. Finish Queen Liliuokalani’s autobiography/and Healing the Child Within (Sara gave me two years ago).
Physical/Emotional Well-being:
5. Work on my food addiction-eat less junk food
6. Participate in at least a 5k
8. Go back to my hip hop class
9. Have regular girls’ nights
Charitable:
10. Get involved in the community
11. Help someone who needs help
12. Hold a charity dinner.
Hobbies:
13. Take a sewing class
14. Make Lani an Easter dress
15. Refinish my chairs
16. Reupholster my sofas
Wants:
17. See Wicked
18. Hold a 4th of July party in our circle
19. Have a 30th birthday party
20. Go see my parents in California
21. Prepare a will-notarized
22. Have a date night once a month-the temple every other month (every month is not realistic for me)
23. Spend more quality time with my kids.
24. Next year, enroll Ian in preschool
25. Teach a Hula class at Golds Gym
26. Get a new desk
Financial:
27. Spend less money (after the after-Christmas sales)
28. Save money every month.
29. Totally finish the house. (Trim, shelves for toys, some electrical...)
30. Stick to my budget.
Church:
31. Do my visiting teaching without kids.
32. Make a bulletin board for primary.
33. Read the Book of Mormon with Aaron.

Belated Family Letter

Okay, I meant to send this out, then email it out, and well here it is on the blog...some may call it procrastination, I call it modern technology...

Dear Friends and Family,

As many of you know, we have faced a few challenges this year. Perhaps it is when faced with adversity that we are able to realize all the amazing things we have. They are not always recognized, but they are definitely there. In the spirit of Christmas, we’d like to share a few from our lives to yours.

Brad completed his MBA in March. In an effort to remain productive and keep up the study habits, he has begun working towards his CPCU, the highest insurance designation. A temporary setback, in October Brad ruptured his esophagus. Despite the seriousness of the injury Brad was in the hospital for only one week and did not undergo major surgery as most with this injury would have. Instead the tissue is repairing itself and with a diet of soft foods ice cream and follow-up visits, Brad is home and wrestling (gently) with the boys.

Three kids have been a small challenge in my life this year. Luckily, having one in kindergarten at least offers a reprieve from constant fighting. Somehow I am still able to finish project after project. I am also blessed to have Spencer and Jeni as well as Ben nearby this year to step in when necessary, like in October. It is nice to be able to trade off with Jeni as well as invite myself along for her and her sisters’ girls’ nights. However, I have found amazing support through our ward and close friends during trying times; that should not have surprised me, yet it did.

Aaron started kindergarten this year. He excels at all things academic and I am happy to have found an environment which seems to encourage this. He is a great help to me, almost always doing what I ask him to do with his younger brother and sister. Brad has implemented a new time out consequence in which Aaron must read a book to Ian or Lani when he gets in trouble.

Ian, our teddy bear, wants to grow up, but he feels he may miss out on the perks of being a baby. Despite his destructive tendencies, he loves anyone and everyone and shows it with his many hugs and kisses.

Kailani seems to learn a new word daily and already has dance moves we envy. She thinks her brothers are hilarious, but often makes her own trouble independently. She has a flair for the dramatics, but when you look in those blue eyes it’s hard to say no.

As we think about the past few months and look around our cozy home, it is impossible to ignore the blessings bestowed upon us. We hope this Christmas Season brings joy to your home as it does to ours!

Love,

Brad, Tara, Aaron, Ian, and Kailani

Attempt Number One

Merry Christmas to me-I got a sewing machine last week. Here is my first attempt at making something. I thought I would practice on a baby doll dress and work my way up to making Lani a dress. I think I went backwards because it is so hard to sew in the little nooks and crannies. Maybe I'll try Lani's dress next. Luckily, Lani hugs her baby so tight that you can't see the imperfections.

Update III

Lani loves to take care of her little baby. She wraps it in a blankie. Not hers, those are off limits even for her baby. But she kisses it goodnight and pats her back. It's the cutest thing. Her favorite new words are "Let's Go" and "Good girl." My girl is growing up so fast.

Update II

Thanksgiving. I apologize for the lack of pictures. Thanksgiving was at my house this year and well, so relaxing that I did not take out the camera very much. I helped with the meal, but whenever my mom comes it's like I start to do something and a few minutes later she's already done it. Plus, Jeni and Spencer brought half the food along with cousin Nona and Malia. The pictures are of the play that my mom helped the kids put on for us about Farmer Boone and his turkeys with a surprise visit from a Transformer that went into Space...Aaron made it up. My parents are moving to California (so much closer for visits) so it was great that we were on their way. We enjoyed their visit even if they did bring their dog, Boone, along with them.

Time for an Update

I feel sometimes like I am so busy, but I'm really not. My kids just need their own game system so they will stay off my computer;) Right now Lani is asleep and the boys are watching a movie so I can finally update. I'm sorry this will update backwards on the blog. Oh well. First of all, I love Fall. I hate raking, but I love to see the leaves Fall. I like to color over them and hang our pictures up and the chill gets me in the mood to start baking. And after everything that has been going on in our lives (I feel I've been playing catchup with my "home responsibilities"), it is nice to go outside and play in the leaves. The kids have a blast.