Independent & Confident: For better or worse

"Shortcake, mommy?" *As in can I please watch my Strawberry Shortcake DVD for the millionth time?*

"Shucks, sorry Blakes, we don't have time. But I have something really fun for us to do."

"Treat?"

"Kind of...let's get daddy."

Last night we cruised back to Kapolei for the farmer's market at my high school and the family night play version of Wizard of Oz. It was Blakely's first live community theatre experience; I was pretty pumped to introduce her to real shows.
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At the farmer's market, Blakely chooses an oatmeal raisin cookie for dinner and I snag a Thai mix plate!

Daddy juggles two pillows, three blankets, two chairs, a fresh squeezed limeade drink for me (my hero), and Blakely's backpack full of snacks (family night is picnic style!). We stand in line before the doors open.

So far, so smooth.

Minutes later, and much to my delight, we see Blakely's daycare provider and her family walking up.

"Auntieeeeeeee" B squeals. *Big hugs*

Then, and I could not have orchestrated it better myself, Blakely's bestie from daycare and her parents join the line.

Blakely is beside herself.

"Leah...where are you?" she sings. "There you are!"

*more uncoordinated hugs*

The line moves. We claim a spot, spread out our blankets, and curl up with dinner. The lights dim... AND...

Tim and I are old news.

"Auntie" Blakely whimpers (not-so-quietly). More fanatic circular chest rubs (baby sign for please).

I can't just let her whine as the opening scene begins. If you've heard my daughter make any kind of noise, pleasant or not, you know she has only one volume--and it's not soft. :) I desperately release her chubby little body in hopes that she'll zip it and stay calm.

She squirms right off my lap and marches across the darkly lit venue to grab Leah's hand.

Leah slides off her mommy's lap.

The two head straight for Auntie's chair (our fabulous daycare gal). I whisper a joke to Tim about paying overtime as Blakely invites herself and Leah to climb on up.

The good witch Glenda comes on stage.

Across the room, I hear Blakely gasp loudly "Princess!"

I turn my head and smile, but put my index finger up to my lips in an exaggerated fashion. I hope she notices me. I doubt she does.

Minutes late, B wiggles off Auntie's lap and makes a bee line, dodging other play-goers, straight for me!

Yay! My baby is back to cuddle with me and enjoy live theatre! Delightful. This is just what I imagined.

"Nilk, mommy!" She starts rifling through my bag for her milk cup.

I sigh. She doesn't really want me. I hand her a cup of juice to keep her quiet.

"Joose" she whines...as if to protest because it's not what she asked for.

She accepts. She dances right back to Leah's side and Auntie's lap. She doesn't even glance back.

The play moves along. The cowardly lion comes out looking for courage.

Tim and I whip our heads to the right when we hear this loud, raspy sounding "ROOOAAR"come out of you-know-who's mouth!

She's having the best time sharing pirates booty popcorn and juice with her girl Leah. Both little girls lean into Auntie and cuddle up together.

Blakely treks back and forth (several more times) between daddy & mommy and Auntie & Leah. She asks for snack, treat, nilk, and monkey.

I lean my head on Tim's shoulder and feel baby girl kicking inside of me. One is sticking with me. She has no choice...for now. ;)

I wonder quietly to Tim... "is this just the beginning?"

Will our social not-yet-two-year-old always be so quick to scoop up her girlfriends, charm a crowd, and choose another seat? 


Did my mom plan evenings and wish I'd spend more time by her side? Did I gleefully find my friends and practice my independence?


I'm sure, er, I know I did. 


Don't get me wrong, I'm blessed that my Blakely girl is already confident, independent, social, and loving. I can embrace all that.

I just anticipate how quickly this time with her will go. How soon she'll go to sleepovers, borrow the car, and bring friends home on a Friday night.

I'm excited for all that's to come, but right now I want every moment where she stays on my lap to last a lifetime.

To My Girlfriends

Last month I shared about a women's conference I attended at my church. I was refreshed & inspired.

The speakers, Donna Crouch from Hillsong Church in Australia and Holly Wagner from Oasis Church in LA, were phenomenal. If you ever get the chance to hear them or read any of Holly's books, I strongly recommend it!

At the conference there was some good promo work for the next year's conference. One of the speakers next year is a woman named Lisa Bevere. This video clip was played several times during our few days together, but I never got tired of hearing this snippet of truth spoken by Lisa. In fact, I'm already signed up for next year's Arise!

Ladies, if you have two minutes, may this video encourage you in the midst of whatever you are doing! If you happen to be living on Oahu next winter, let me invite you to join me at Arise.



Before I leave you, I want to wish my very dear girl Anna the sweetest of years. She turned 29 a few days ago! Love you, Anna!

Happy Love Day

Happy Love Day 

from my ohana to yours!!

How much changes in a year... xoxo

We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love.

God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world.

Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love. We love each other because he loved us first.

1 John 4:16-19

Love Languages and Odes

Last week my coworker bestie and I organized a theme day for our students. Every Wednesday we do leadership traits as the overarching theme. So for our most recent day, Lia and I chose love as a leadership trait.

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We mostly taught about agape (unconditional) and philia (brotherly). Among other things, we revamped a love languages quiz and introduced ode writing.

For fun, Tim and I re-took the husband/wife version of the quiz. Do you know your love language? How about the language of those closest to you? There's a version to fit us all. Click here to start your online quiz.

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Go figure--Tim and I scored exactly opposite. His most dominant love languages were my weakest. I like to joke that I'm strongest in all the languages...I'll take the love however I can get it!

So, I try not to ask my students to do something I haven't recently tried myself. I figured I'd better write an ode. My students had to choose a love "category" from the Greek. I demonstrated my unconditional love for a season of life. Here it is...

Ode to Two Years

Two years came so quickly.

I didn’t know you’d sneak up like that.

While you can be trying, two years, you are also so surprising and exciting.

I’m just barely getting glimpses of all that you are bringing to my little girl.

So far, two years, you’ve brought new words—scratch that—sentences.

“Where are you?” ~ “There you are!”

“Baby nigh nigh” ~ “Baby hunry”

You’ve brought laughter and bright eyes,

And a longing for The Little Mermaid and The Lion King.

But, two years, sometimes I’m not ready for you.

You are introducing tantrums and stubbornness.

You make my little girl refuse all food but mac & cheese.

Because of you, she kicks her shoes off in the car and throws her milk to the ground.

Two years, how long do you plan to stay?

Since you came early, any chance you’ll exit before three?

Don’t get me wrong, you are important and we need you…

But, you’re also exhausting and sometimes frustrating.

Here’s the thing, no matter what mood swing you bring, I love you so much!

Nothing can change that.

Thanks for helping my little girl grow into the miniature person 

God has made her to be.

And just for fun...

XO my friends and family! 

Update for Those Across the Ocean

We made the switch.

Crib for toddler bed.

It didn't take much thought. I was only prompted because we got this fabulous hand-me-down toddler bed and had no place to put it! Garage space for storage is a hot commodity. Half my kitchen pantry is stacked up in my guest room/nursery-under-construction. :)  There are many fabulous things about living in Hawaii, but extra space? Not one of them!

What was just my baby girl's safe haven...

is now a little girl's hide-away.

I expected the warranted relief of reorganization, but I wasn't ready for the sweet sadness of a season's closing. And how seamlessly she's embracing this new role of little person. I don't know if that makes it harder or easier. ;)

I do love the mornings, though. She wakes up simultaneously happy and lazy. Her bed head is something else! First things first, she gets her "baby shot" (thyroid medicine). I suppose she thinks such room service is mandatory. :)

I share this for all of our loved ones so far from us! I hope you can come across the ocean soon. Blakely would like to show you where her baby dolls eat and sleep! She'll read you an Elmo potty story and beg you to watch Strawberry Shortcake.

We miss you! xoxo