sNOw . . . SWIM instead!!!

We were headed North to enjoy the snow on Wednesday. However, the snow came in droves and shut down the roads to where we were headed! So, with 6 kids all excited to go, we did the next best thing . . . headed to a resort! Where I think the kids learned an important lesson . . . just cause the pool is headed, doesn't mean you won't freeze at some point!!!

Christmas Jammies to match Lilly Afulele

Nutcracker

Her curls had fallen out! Still Adorable!

A bit cold to smile - best we got! Alas!!

A tradition I wanted Kaiya to have in her life was to attend the Nutcracker every year at Christmas time! It began when she was 2 years old, and has continued on for the last 4 years now. She loves it! She loves to get all dolled up in her Christmas dress and loves to watch the ballerinas! She also loves the tradition of getting a new ornament each year as a souvenir!! We had lots of fun this year! We actually got dolled up twice. We were suppose to go on December 16, but has been told it started at 7:30 p.m., we arrived to learn it started at 6:30 p.m. The kindly gave us our same seat for another night because of the error in communication on the confirmation of our tickets. So, we stopped at the Temple on the way home in hopes of snagging a good family picture of us. So, here is Kaiya dolled up the first time! I am not sure we got pictures the second time . . . hum.

Dance Recital

 Kaiya had her end of the year dance recital on December 18, 2010. She did a wonderful job! She was most excited to get "STAGE MAKE UP" as Kaiya stated during her session in front of the mirror, "I look OLDER with makeup!" Mom's make up was a little light, it made me think of the asian dancers that pain their faces white with red lipstick!!

 She did a wonderful job dancing . . . recorded it via the

old video camera . . . so, no footage!!!

Beginning to Feel Alot like Christmas

VIVA Las VEGAS!

Kaiya and I drove over to Las Vegas with my parents for a quick overnight trip! We hit up Cowboy Christmas. I was a bit disappointed in not getting any of my Christmas shopping done there! Oh well I guess!!!

Thanksgiving

We got to celebrate Thanksgiving this year in Idaho! Originally intended to be spent at the parent's ranch, however, the snow threatened to snow us in! So, we ended up staying in Idaho Falls at the Triple M's cousins house! We had lots of delicious food. After delicious food, Kaiya and her cousins headed out to play in the SNOW!!

Later that night, I introduced my sister in law to the joy of BLACK FRIDAY SHOPPING!!! Whippeee!!!!

Private

While some may argue this website is Kaiya's, one cannot disagree that it has documented my life, as well as my life with Kaiya for the last 4 years. In light of recent events in my life, I would like to be able to post openly about what the events we are participating in, and our lifes. I would like to contain the knowledge of our life to those of whom I feel safe with knowing.

So, I am going PRIVATE!! I don't want to cut anyone out that may be interested, unless I feel not in our best interest, in following JUST US GIRLS thru the rest of our adventures together. If you would like to be put on the invited list, please post a message and let me know!

I would like to be private by Christmas. So, there is a 13 days countdown on to let me know!!!

Lots of Love,

Janan and Kaiya

ESTABLISHED

Went to the Temple tonight to look at the lights, watch a video, and just seek some solace from the world. Went in an exhibit that has been there a bit, but was new to me. Talked about the plan of salvation and families being possible to be forever. OBVIOUSLY a difficult thing for me currently. It was touching, and I cried . . . as I thought of my sweet beautiful daughter. I tried for so long because of her. In this new exhibit, as I was crying over feeling of complete love for her. The following, I had heard and read stuck out like a sore thumb to me.

Successful marriages and FAMILIES are ESTABLISHED and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, RESPECT, LOVE, compassion, WORK, and wholesome recreational activities.

ESTABLISHED - that word has never stood out so BOLDLY to me before . . . it just hit me! Established doesn't just happen! Here are a few definitions of the word:

1 - To set up

2 - To bring about

3 - To MAKE FIRM

4 - To put into force

No one single definition doesn't include a sign of ACTIONS . . . having a successful marriage or family isn't something that just happens! Successful marriages and families require ACTION - require WORK!! This isn't a new concept to me! I struggled for as long as I did because I knew that, I was finally able to move on when I realized, it required WORK from all PARTIES INVOLVED all THE TIME!! Not just when it was easy!

For those who have their marriages and families still in tact, I say, WORK . . . WORK as hard and as long as it requires because happiness and success doesn't just come. Also, know that it takes everyone to work, not just one side!! ESTABLISHED UPON . . . you have to make it happen. you hvae to bring it about. You have to set up a happy marriage and family.

Peanut

Kaiya was really bothered by the no peanut sign on her blog. She has sucessful out grown her reaction to them. She can safely eat peanuts, and in fact has been encouraged to by her allergist to eat them frequently just to keep the reactions from coming back. Needless to say, now she doesn't not like that no peanut sign on here, and so I have removed it!!!

Can you tell she is not at all PROUD of that fact . . . and she LOVES to eat things with peanuts. So, the needing to eat them, SHE JUST MIGHT BE ABLE TO DO!!!!


** Note: She is still allergic, but her system chooses not to react to it. All I understand is that there is a certain level of allergy she has, that 20% of the people with that level, can learn to "tolerate." She is lucky and has become one of the lucky 20% that doesn't have a reaction. She is allergic to eggs too, but has never reacted!! yeah!!!

Old Friends!

The day we left for Idaho, I woke up and discovered a voice message on my cell phone. I had missed a call from a very special person belonging to a very special family. I was excited cause I had been thinking of them the last few days, and really wanted to try to go see them. So, I listened to the message. It was from another very special person in the very special family. Nothing substantial just a please call me, and we love you! I didn't really think much else of it. I returned the call, no answer to a phone that is usually always answered. Over the course of the day, several phone calls were missed and several returned. I start to really worry because it was unlike these special people. A good friend told me not to worry, and listed a bunch of possibilities. We boarded the plane, and I was worried. We arrived to Idaho, and were waiting for our ride, in the cold! Finally, I got the call from Olivia (the mom in my special family), and I received the news that Craig (the dad in my special family), had unexpectedly pass away. I was in total and complete shock! I could list all the reasons for the shock, they are the usual (age, family, etc).


It became apparent, that if I was to get to see this very special family from my mission, I was going to be going to a pay my last respects rather than the over night of giggles, laughs, teasings, game playing, and reminscing. The news spread like a wild fire from there to as many missionaries and friends as possible.


Here are a few pictures of old friends renewed because of this very special and important family.

The Thills (Army), E. Bassi (Marine), S. Meyers (my companion), an d ME

HILER Family (Marine Parents), Beth Meyers (My comp.), and ME

Hilers, E. Bassi, S. Meyers, and Me

Testing the camera trying to get it to work!!

I have to share this quick story. When S. Meyers and I were teaching the Hiler family, we knew they would get along wonderfully with the Thills. On top of it, they both had military backgrounds, so we were so excited to be able to introduce two family for a possible friendship with so much in common. During dinner, we found out from the Thills something as missionaries we never knew or would have even thought about. We told the Thills about the Hilers and how they were military, MARINES! And we told the Hilers all about the Thills, and how they had military background, ARMY! Little did we know after we left, both families were like, "OH MAN! They are from (whatever branch) of the military!" We had a good laugh over this because we never knew that military branches had their good HEARTED RIVALRY!!

Eventhough, we were there to say goodbye, and pay respects and we were all deeply sad. We had so much fun catching up, and hearing "The True Story" version of things, the things families you teach on your mission never tell you!! Rarely, rarely do missionaries get to tract into a family, teach them, see them progress to the waters of baptism, be sealed for eternity as a family, and 10 years later see how much they have given and grown in the Gospel. I have been so blessed by the Lord. Thank you Hiler family! You all have blessed my life in so many ways!!!

A Girl and her Cat

Kaiya had a wonderful visit with her kitty, Tiger Lily. Can you just read it from these pictures . . . SHE LOVES THIS KITTY!!! She also had lots of fun with her Grammy and Granddad!!

I THINK SHE MIGHT BE IN LOVE . . . NOT SURE!

I seriously think she tries to stretch and grow taller on purpose!!
Monkey Business all ways leads to TROUBLE!! LOL!!

Idaho - M2 Baptisms

I am a bit behind! I really had lost all energy to do the whole blog thing, for that matter, I lost all energy to do a lot of things! So, I am going to get going! Won't be nearly as detailed as I would typically do, but we will document it!!

Kaiya and I went to Idaho for the first part of October break this year. Kaiya's M2 cousin decided to be baptized a member of the LDS Church! So, we headed up to be around family and support Miss M2 on this very special day!! Here are a few pictures of that special time! Kaiya loves her M cousins!!

Most of the Family

M3 and Kaiya - (age 4 and age 5)

Post Baptism Food - YUM!!

Perfect Attendance!

Kaiya had perfect attendance during the first reporting period at school!! I was so proud of her!! She also had perfect behavior, save the day of parent teacher conferences! She lost one star . . . and her teacher said she was MORTIFIED, and the rest of the student's jaws dropped in shock! At the beginning of the school year, Kaiya decided she was going to not lose a single star all year long. I loved that goal, and loved it even more because she came up with it all on her own. So, it was a pretty shocking day losing her one star!! She is such a great kid! I love her to death!!!

Here we are with her perfect attendance certificate!!

Spike Vampire

Kaiya went to another halloween carnival tonight with her dad. He would be unable to do her hair, make up, eyelashes, etc how she wanted it, so he brought her to me to get her dressed and ready for the party. Before curlng her ends, they were very spikey! She decided she very much liked the spikes! So, we skipped curling. Here is the latest version of Vampire Kaiya



Pretty scary and darn cute!!

Little Miss Vampire

Pumpkin Patch Fun

Idaho

Kaiya and I arrived in Idaho a little late on Friday night. We were really cold while we waited for our ride from the SIL. We even unpacked Kaiya's blanket to wrap her in over top of her sweatsuit outfit!!

Our trip this last time wasn't quite the trip, I had envisioned for the two of us. Kaiya had a blast playing with her cousins and enjoying the cool air of Idaho, Grammy, Tiger Lily, fishing, and just being able to be where she loves it so much!!