Anticipation

Anticipation is totally underrated.

I mean, it can be down-right frustrating sometimes. Like, tomorrow, when I go to the dentist, I'll dangle my legs over the end of the not-made-for-tall-white-girls dental chair and I'll wait...and wait.... Finding Nemo will probably be playing on the mini flatscreen and I'll flip mindlessly through a some-random-week 2009 US Weekly that's been camping out in the dental room for entirely too long. And you guessed it, I'll anticipate... it won't be the good kind of anticipation either. Seriously, my teeth have been a train wreck since pregnancy.

But, and there's always a but, anticipation is joyful more often than it's unnerving. Here's a mini-list of  fun things I anticipate:

• Christmas morning cinnamon rolls
• Coffee...every morning. Literally--I go to bed excited to wake up and drink coffee!
• The next perfect wave
• Blakely's chubby arms reaching towards me
• Song #4 on Amy Grant's Tender Tennessee Christmas album

Soooo....I must say that I'm in love with watching Blakely anticipate. She really only anticipates the happy moments right now. She still hasn't figured out that rolling off the bed could potentially be painful (I've managed to catch her thus far ;)).

Here, let me show you what I mean. Tim was teasing her with water squirts from her rubber ducky while she took her bath. If you watch closely, you'll see her gleeful anticipation! Who knew being splashed in the face could be so fun?!

Bikes & Food & Ohana

We have families--plural. Yes, we are richly blessed! Not only do we have our beloved parents, siblings, niece, nephew, and friends back home. But, we also have a completely divinely appointed ohana on Oahu. Come on, check 'em out! We just had our second annual holiday bike parade/progressive dinner. I have some pics to share...mostly of food ;). For more on the festive people, lemme know. I have more pics elsewhere! xoxo

Appetizers at our hale! Flank steak roll-ups (with cheese, sundried tomatoes, and spinach), naan with berries & honey, and Scott's fresh sashimi.



The winning bike/team! Go Auburn!
p.s. This is my dear friend/incredible photographer. Check her out at Blue Nalu Photography.



The Thanksgiving Day Crew <3

To dinner, we go!

Next stop, Rose's.



Turkey & Ham at the Rose Residence!




Our favorite Southern friends made the most delicious Thanksgiving sides possible! Nick hand-whipped the mashed potatoes and Kris made his specialty: baked mac & cheese. Yum!



Three's Company! xoxo

Yakiniku

Yaki--what?! I know, that's what I first thought!

This past weekend, Tim and I were on the search for Shabu-shabu for our anniversary dinner. We weren't really sure what Shabu-shabu was or what it entailed, but it sounded awfully swanky...the way it rolled off our tongues. So, I told Tim, let's have Shabu-shabu. How romantic! ;)

Pause: Just so you know...Wikipedia says this about Shabu-shabu:

The dish is prepared by submerging a very thin slice of meat or a piece of vegetable in a pot of boiling water or dashi (broth) made with kombu (kelp) and swishing it back and forth several times. The familiar swishing sound is where the dish gets its name. Shabu-shabu directly translates to "swish-swish". Cooked meat and vegetables are usually dipped in ponzu or "goma" (sesame seed) sauce before eating, and served with a bowl of steamed white rice. Once the meat and vegetables have been eaten, leftover broth from the pot is customarily combined with the remaining rice, and the resulting soup is usually eaten last.

Shabu-shabu: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yakiniku



As some of my closest friends may remember, I love anything I can mix around and eat out of a bowl! ha! So...yes, Shabu-shabu looks perfect. Maybe not so-swanky and maybe not so-romantic, but still...perfect!

Anyway, we didn't know what it was or where it was. Tim did find Blakely wonderful care for the evening (thanks Zeke, Abby, and Levi) and he made us a reservation...for Shabu-shabu....at Gyu Kaku in Town.

We excitedly hit Lewers Street and bustled past Ruth Chris', Cheeseburger in Paradise, The Yardhouse, a few bumpin' surf shops, some classy art galleries...and then...nothin'. We looked up and down and didn't see our Shabu-shabu retaurant. Finally, just past the crazy animation of Lewers, we saw a subdued little Japanese restaurant: Gyu Kaku. We made it!

Upon being sat, I anxiously blurted out: Is this Shabu-shabu?! Our waiter gave me a part-patronizing, part-endearing look and whispered incredulously, why no, this is Yakiniku. Again, I stress, I'm like, Yaki-what?!

Pause: Here's Wikipedia's response for Yakiniku:

In a yakiniku restaurant, diners order several types of prepared raw ingredients (either individually or as a set) which are brought to the table. The ingredients are cooked by the diners on a grill built into the table throughout the duration of the meal, several pieces at a time. The ingredients are then dipped in sauces known as tare before being eaten. The most common sauce is made of Japanese soy sauce mixed with sake, mirin, sugar, garlic, fruit juice and sesame.[2] Garlic-and-shallot or miso-based dips are sometimes used.

Yakiniku: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yakiniku

So although we did not find Shabu-shabu last weekend, we did discover the delight of grilling at our table! It's kind of like fondue, but with an open fire (well, not like flames...more like smoke). Good thing Blakely was crawling all over Abby's place and not sticking her fingers on our porta-grill. :)

I definitely reccomend Yakiniku and Gyu Kaku. It was sort of a mishap that we stumbled upon this treasure. I'm sure I sound totally uncultured as I write this. Maybe the majority of you are like, totally, Yakiniku, we eat it like every-other-day... But, what can I say? It was a learning experience for us and quite a fun one!

Now I just need to find Shabu-shabu! Okay...here are some of my pictures:

Celebrating...

Three lovely years of marriage! <3

On November 24th, the Saturday after Thanksgiving, three quick years ago, my beloved and I got married! What a blessed decision we made (thank you, Jesus!).

Since that chilly November day in Yelm, Washington, The Case Ohana has moved twice, changed jobs, bought a house, chosen two part-poodles, jumped into a new culture, made a crew of new friends, loved on old friends, missed family like crazy, and recently welcomed in a baby girl.

While the goal is to always recognize the joy God gives us, I won't tell you that every day has been an "easy" day. But, as you can imagine, some of our hardest, scariest times have been the times when God's hand became the most clear. In fact, I find it easier to choose joy in the midst of a dark time. Weird, right? But, more on that in another post.

It's been amazing to have a partner to do life with these past three years. I wouldn't change a thing!

Here are some fun facts (and pictures) from that day...

We were FREEZING!!! And the rain barely let up for a few minutes...just in time for this shot!

I'm so blessed that my dad married us! I just about cried through the whole ceremony. AND--we just about forgot to do the vows, altogether. Good thing my mom remembered and the bridesmaids whispered down... "vows, vows...VOWS" ;)

It was dark during the whole ceremony--and practically a musical. I even walked down the aisle to country song, Lost in this Moment. Tim and I walked out to Jack Johnson's, Better Together.

My "oldest" younger brother (to my left) got married just three weeks after me! It couldn't have been more perfect!

We just had a small little bridal party... ;)

Tim had to think up with quite a few "comebacks" for all the lack-of-direction jokes he willingly endured! ha!  

The Pink Ladies came from all over the country to be with me! Sweet Debi came from quite a distance for a brief trip and my lovely Emily flew in for just THE DAY. Also...another very "fun" fact worth sharing--Yasi got married just over one year ago and the lovely blond, Stephanie, is newly engaged!! xoxo

This is beautiful Felicity, soon-to-be Case!!! Perhaps the most fun fact of all is that Felicity and Tim's brother, Patrick, just got engaged a few days ago--on November 24th (our anniversary). How romantic!! Congrats you two!

We had a generational dance for the bouquet. Guess which couple won?! My most adorable grandparents! I love them so much!

Fact: Tim and I married each other and married into the most A-Mazing families! We are blessed on so many levels.

I'll go ahead and stop uploading photos now! Ha! Too easy to get carried away. But, I do want to say, that as I reflect on our wedding and our three years together--marriage has only gotten sweeter with time!

Also, we owe much to our friends and family for the unconditional love and support. As I look back on our wedding, I remember all those who made sacrifices to be with us and show support. Thank you to my dearest Chellie Bean who flew out from Boston and stayed until the last minute with me at my wedding. Chellie--it was an amazing honor to recently stand with you at your wedding. I love you dearly! And to Meghan--Happy Birthday Megs! Thank you for coming so far and staying so long at my wedding! xoxo

Have a blessed Monday, Everyone!!

Tim, I love you!

First Word? You be the judge!

Aloha my beloved Ohana,

So Tim and I are trying to figure out if Blakely is really saying her "first word." It's so crazy, this first word business. How does one know when a baby is trying to say a word or when a baby is just babbling. Also, how does one know when a baby understands the meaning of the word? So, then, that begs the question...what do you write in the baby book? Seriously. We are curious. Feel free to comment and share your thoughts. Also, what do you think of the video. Is she really saying, dada? And p.s. -- why do most babies say dada first? Besides the fact that I'm sure they all adore their silly daddys, I have some theories...what about you?!

Happy (belated) Birthday to Grandpa--love, Blakely

We thought of you all day long yesterday, grandpa. Tonight we took these pictures for you! I had more fun playing with the sign my mama and dada gave me. I miss you! Happy Birthday.

xoxo,
Blakely

Hardwood Floors + Army Crawling Baby = Reason to Shop

Well, I should qualify my little post title above. Our floors aren't actually real hardwood, although I wish they were. I'm not really sure what they are...haha...but I can guarantee they aren't the real deal! ;) Still, just the same, they present an unfriendly surface for an 8 month old babe.

It only took one Blakely face plant for Tim and I to move "buy a rug" to the top of our weekend to-do list. I cruised Overstock.com and Amazon.com, but didn't fall in love with anything. Well, anything within our price range and with free shipping... ;) Where's an Ikea when ya need one? C'mon Ikea...come to Hawaii!!

Anyway...here's what I considered and here's what I got! Come visit us! Blakes would love to show off her fine creeping skills and favorite stacking toys. xoxo

This is the Exploded Floral Rug (Target.com)

The Azul Floral Rug (Target.com)

Our Starter Rug--Apparently this rug whispered to all dogs, "please come mark me...as often as you can!"

The rug we picked up at our local Target (of course!)

B, breaking in the play rug with her friends!

It's workin' out just fine!

See ya, Irie.