Deployment Milestone

On the last deployment, I remember receiving an email saying that we should not be sending any more care packages to our loved ones.  I was so excited because it meant that Billy was getting closer to being home!  Well, this week we received word that we shouldn't be sending any more packages around April 15th.    Never has tax day looked so good!  A huge milestone in this deployment and one step closer to his homecoming!

Last Sunday, I watched the Lifetime show, Coming Home.  I have never cried so much in a one hour show!  Not in the "so depressing" tears, but in the "so happy for them" tears.  Maybe, a few tears were shed for being "just a bit envious."  I used to dream that those happy families would end up being us and that Billy could come home early and surprise us like that!

For those who don't have Lifetime and haven't heard of the show, it's mainly about service men or women returning home from Iraq or Afghanistan and surprising their loved ones.  So, very touching and such a tear jerker!  I was watching it with David and he was asking all sorts of questions, mainly why, but I explained to him that these Daddies were coming home from "Aganistan" and ready to play games with their sons, like his dad would be ready to play games with him.  He got so excited and I'm sure is looking forward to that day!  Can't wait!

Doctor David

Every week, David and I go to the library for reading time.  One week, we checked out a Barney the Dinosaur book called, "What am I going to be" or something like that.   I know, right?!  Barney! (eyes rolling) Well, after I read the book to him, I asked him what he wanted to be when he grew up and he says, "A doctor!" 

He may have come to that conclusion because he had just had his wellness check-up or perhaps, it was the only occupation he's heard of and understood in the book.  It definitely isn't the fact that I'm a nurse and influenced him...not a bit ;).  But I digress.

Since David has decided on his career path, he's also picked up a hobby...that of fixing things around the house.  How he goes about this is taking his wooden hammer puzzle piece and going around pounding the walls, door knobs, chairs, tables, and whatever he can get his hands on.

Yesterday, we had a playdate with David's new "best fwiend," Emma.  I was talking to Emma's mom when David comes running to me and in a breathless voice says, "Mama, Emma fell in my bed and hurt 'is nose.  I a doctor and fix it with my hammer.  Now he all better!"  We were both alarmed at first, but when we asked Emma if she was okay, she responded, "YES!"  That's when we cracked up! 
Three, for me, may be the hardest age yet, but he sure can keep me laughing!

Blocking Telemarketers

I discovered my own way to block telemarketers.  Let David answer the phone.  Tonight, as we were watching TV, the phone rang.  David runs to the phone and yells, "I get it!" 
I noticed that the LA Times was on the caller ID and I tell him not to answer.  He looks a bit disappointed so I relent and tell him to answer. 
He picks it up and in his high, little boy's  voice says, "Hilo?"
Pause. 
"Who dis?" Giggle, giggle then huge grin. 
"Is dis my dad?  Hi, dad!"  Obviously a male on the other end.  David walks over to the entertainment center, gets out one of his video games. "Dad, I got Wii party, mumble mumble, some gibberish." 
On the phone, I hear a man's voice, probably asking to talk to his mom.  I'm laughing so hard as David tries to tell his "dad" that he wants him to come home and play Wii party with him.  I finally take pity on the LA Times caller and grab the phone.  On the other end is the dial tone.  Score!  David 1, Telemarketer 0 and I win.       

To sing or to drive...

The other day, I was driving home and singing along to the radio.  Out of the backseat David pipes up, "Mama, don't sing.  Just drive."  I guess I shouldn't quit my day job.

Jace's Kemem

In the Marshall Islands, it is a custom to celebrate the first birthday of each child, known as a Kemem. I was told that this tradition started because of the high infant mortality rate on the islands. When a child made it to their first birthday, it was huge cause for celebration. My nephew, Jace, turned one on the 9th of January and we celebrated his Kemem on the 15th. Much time, planning, effort, and tears were put into making said Kemem a success. In fact, if I recall correctly, planning for it started the minute he was born. Or at least when I first met him, which was when he was one month old.

Kemem's typically are planned in that relatives and members of the Marshallese community volunteer to bring certain dishes. These dishes usually include 5 different kinds of meats like chicken, pork, fish, beef, and usually roasted pig. Then come the side dishes like rice, potato salad, pasta salad, some rice noodle dish, sashimi, clams, squash, different types of Marshallese food that I don't know the names of, and dessert dishes. Plus the birithday cake. All these dishes are made for between 150-500 people.

During the meal, there is usually entertainment. This usually includes island-style dancing, music, and singing.  In the midst of the dancing, people in the family hand out goodies ranging from candy to large blankets and marshallese woven bags.  Once all that is done, they get birthday boy and sit him up front with his parents while the community sings to him and one by one go up to wish him well.  As they do that, they leave money for him.  Here are a few pictures to highlight the events of the night.

David, Jakeob, Kaitlyn, Nathan, and Dana

The Hula Girls

One of the Marshallese Dances

The boys doing a Marshallese beat



The birthday boy



Jace, Liz, and Kaitlyn getting ready for the birthday songs

I call my nieces and nephews "The Naughties."  This boy takes the cake!  Much luck to his parents (good thing he's so stinkin' cute)!

David holding up his prize at the Kemem.

   This last is a video of the hula girls!  So cute!